After several drafts, the designs for the new Troy Public Library have been completed, bringing the project one step closer to reality.

Library Director William White met with the Troy Exchange Club Thursday afternoon and told club members about the progress of the plans to construct a new library in Troy.

“We began the designs in December of last year,” White said. “After about 30 revisions, we have what we think is a practical design.”

White said the goal is to have the cost estimates completed by Feb. 18, and if the library committee believes the cost is feasible, it will be presented to the Troy City Council for approval soon after.

White said he couldn’t say much about the designs before the cost estimate is complete. But, the new building plans are about 23,500 square feet, nearly double in size what the current library is.

“It’s entirely custom, not based on any other library,” White said. “It’s not going to be like anything anyone’s ever seen.”

Priorities in designing the plans were to add a genealogy room, a meeting room that seats 100 people, a children’s area and allowing room to expand the library’s collection.

In addition, White said parking space was another top priority.

“There will be adequate parking space, handicap parking and bus parking,” White said.

White said the new library will be located on Elm Street, where the Troy High School once stood.

“It will be on Elm Street no matter what,” White said.

“The city owns that property already, so that’s money we don’t have to spend on the site.”

White said the Troy Public Library has, like libraries across the country, increased in usage with the downturn in the economy.

“It reminds us how viable a library is to a community,” White said.