Mayor Gary Singh doesn’t see a 55,000 square-foot library costing $68.5 million library in Manteca’s future.

The reason is simple.

Manteca can’t afford the entire list of government facilities needs and wants that are in excess of $282 million in 2025 dollars.

That said, Singh said Manteca can’t afford to not have modern library space for learners of all ages.

“We need to get as much use as we can out of every building we can afford to build,” Singh said.

It is why he favors a new library combined with community center space sharing 20,000 square feet north of the site of the new police department breaking ground this summer in the 600 block of South Main St.

Such a library in a combined use building may have less stacks and be designed to effectively accommodate modern technology.

Singh said he understands the recreational value of reading as well as the need for people that don’t have access to the Internet and/or a computer.

And he understands the value of “study” places for students of all ages.

It is why he could also see the city exploring the possibility of leasing space in the Orchard Valley center for a satellite library that is easy for those to access south of the Bypass — especially teens.

The bottom line for Singh, whether the City Council ultimately agrees with his vision for the parcel north of the future police station, is that the city needs to be a strong steward of taxpayer dollars and to deliver effective community services in a timely manner.

“There’s not the money to do everything we want,” Singh said.

It is why designing for multiple uses, where possible, on the government facilities project list is a priority for Singh.

He can see the library programming activities into the community center space as well as recreational programs.

Singh believes a “generations” approach would see the building at that location enjoying robust use on days, nights, and weekends.

It is also just under three blocks from Yosemite and Main making it walkable for downtown.

The city, if a library or a combined use facility goes north of the future police station, plans on placing a crosswalk signal for pedestrians crossing South Main south of Wetmore Street.

It would be similar to the HAWK signal crossing recently installed on North Main at Edison Street.

Singh said the existing library could effectively be reprogrammed for other civic uses such as recreation programs.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com