UNION GAP, Wash.- While construction is already underway and a structure has been built for the new library and community center, the Friends of the Union Gap Library and Community Center nonprofit will now have to find a way to make up $1 million.
The group, calling themselves “The Friends,” says it was approved for a $1 million grant from the USDA, but because the building is property of Union Gap, the city had to apply jointly.
After months of negotiations, the City voted against applying at the December 11 City Council meeting.
“The City and the Friends have been meeting and negotiating for several months and have not been able to come to an agreement to terms,” said City Manager Sharon Bounds ahead of a 3-5 vote against a joint application. “Of additional concern is that it has been determined that the funds would not be under the City’s control, which complicates the process for Invoicing and reimbursements and could result in financial liability for the City.”
Bounds says during the negotiations, the Friends repeatedly asked for additions that were denied by the City Council, namely two fireplaces and a commercial kitchen, and expressed its distrust in the City to manage the funds.
“For example, at a November 16th, 2023, meeting the Friends stated they do not trust City Staff to honor the MOU due to staff not including their desired design items (such as those mentioned above) during Phase I of the Project,” reads a letter sent from Bounds to the Friends informing the 501-c3 organization of the decision. “That distrust led the Friends to condition continued work on the MOU on the City agreeing to a “Side Letter Agreement” which had been submitted alongside some of their proposed changes to the MOU.”
Mark Crouchet, the Chairman of the Friends group, argued his case at the meeting, saying the city was informed of the decisions to move away from the kitchen and fireplace and were ready to return money set for those to donors.
“We were working well with the City until Dennis [Henne, Public Works and Community Development Director] and Sharon were advised by our accountant and the USDA on two ways that the money can be disbursed and that trickled down to only one way which the city was not happy with,” says Crouchet.
With construction still expected to be completed by next Spring, the Friends of the Union Gap Library and Community Center are hopeful the USDA grant can be used in a different way to benefit the building.
“This time of the year in Congress, things are winding down before their break, but we are hopeful that we will hear something soon,” says Crouchet.
