Hastings Community Center and Library Architectural Designs Community Meeting

• 13 September 2023
• Category: Public Library System
• Tags: 2023

St. Johns County Hosts Successful Public Meeting for the Community to Vote on Hastings Community Center and Library Architectural Designs

St. Johns County hosted a successful public meeting on Sept. 12 at the W.E. Harris Community Center for attendees to review and vote on architectural design concepts for the Hastings Community Center and Library. Those unable to attend the meeting are invited to visit the current Hastings Library, located at 6195 S. Main St., Hastings, to vote on their favorite design before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Information materials presented at the meeting, including renderings of the design concepts and the presentation PDF, are available at www.sjcfl.us/Hastings.

The productive meeting began with an introduction from District 2 Commissioner Sarah Arnold, who spearheaded the County’s collaborative effort to present architectural designs desired by the Hastings community after receiving feedback at a prior public meeting.

“We heard you, we saw you, and we’re coming back to do it again,” Arnold said. “We’re really looking forward to hearing the feedback on what we’re presenting tonight.”

Beth Tate, Chair of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Group, facilitated the meeting on behalf of the County. The program featured Kevin Wilson, HBM Architects, who showcased several potential design concepts for the community center and library. Wilson provided context for the significance of each design and how it would fit into the history and culture of the Hastings community.

After the presentation, attendees voted on their favorite design. Staff from St. Johns County Public Works, St. Johns County Public Library System, and the HBM Architects were available to answer questions and share details about the project with attendees.

The planned community center and library will feature a full-sized library, a separate children’s collection room, an outdoor children’s reading garden, large meeting and assembly rooms, County Health and Human Services offices, a drive-up book drop, and more.