Library selling four closed branches

Library closed the Dayton View, Ft. McKinley, Northtown-Shilo and Brookville branches.

The Brookville library moved into a new home. The other three branches consolidated into the new Northwest branch.

Unlike former schools that often are too large and intricate to reuse for other purposes, these surplus buildings are between 5,000 and 7,000 square feet and have significant redevelopment potential, library officials said.

“We hope to sell all of them,” said Tim Kambitsch, the library system’s executive director.

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The Dayton Metro Library is sensitive to community needs and want the buildings reused in ways beneficial to the surrounding neighborhood, he said.

Kambitsch said he wants to find the right end-user for the Dayton View branch, located at 1515 Salem Ave.

“It is too important of an icon for that community,” he said. “It needs the right next use. A non-profit with a public service mission would be ideal.”

The Dayton City Commission on Wednesday approved giving the Dayton View property historic district designation. The library opened in 1930.

The designation recognizes the building’s historical significance and protects it from incompatible alterations, city staff said.

“Also, if ever a property owner should want to demolish a building with such a designation, it would require approval of the city’s landmark commission,” said Ann Schenking, city planner and secretary to the City Plan Board.

The historic designation also could make it eligible for tax credits and other financing options.

The library is offering the branches for sale for the following prices: