Library Neighborhood Association

Durango, Colorado

Logo featuring mountains with snow, a winding river in the foreground, a large tree at the center, and the text 'Library Neighborhood Association' beneath the tree.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Library Neighborhood Association (LNA) of Durango website, which provides information and connections for residents in the blocks surrounding the Durango Public Library.  We intend for this website to help residents, both homeowners and renters, share and communicate more effectively about issues affecting our neighborhood and our lives. While anyone can visit our website at any time, we strongly urge residents to become members or subscribers to receive notifications about new information, action steps.

Public Hearing on Tract F Set for December 2

Hello Friends and Neighbors… you spoke up, and City Council heard you! Council will hold a public hearing for community-wide input on the city-owned Tract F (former Head Start Building). The final disposition of this property will have major consequences for our neighborhood, so please share your voice and thoughts at this meeting.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 PM (GET THERE EARLY!)

Where: Durango City Hall

Durango’s City Council needs to hear from you! The irreplaceable public asset at 2019 E. 3rd Avenue sits at the heart of our civic and cultural hub, and the community should shape its future before official developer requests (RFQs) are drafted.

Once an RFQ is set, community input becomes reactive. By joining us at City Hall, you can help ask Council to host a dedicated public visioning meeting first—ensuring our public land is stewarded through open, creative, and inclusive dialogue.

Supported by the Library Neighborhood Association and civic leaders across the city. Show up, speak up, and help shape our community’s vision!

Join the Library Neighborhood Association!

Whether you want to lead the charge or simply stay in the loop, we have a place for you. Our association thrives on participation, and we offer two distinct ways to get involved:

1. Become a Voting Member ($25 per person annually)

Your membership dues are the engine that keeps our association running. They cover essential costs like website hosting, meeting supplies, and neighborhood advocacy efforts.

  • The Perk: You gain official voting rights, allowing you to influence decisions that shape our community directly.

  • The Impact: Your contribution ensures our neighborhood has a strong, unified voice when communicating with the City of Durango.

How to Join as a Member:

  • Venmo:Coming soon

  • Check: Please make checks payable to Library Neighborhood Association and mail to: Library Neighborhood Association, P.O. Box 442, Durango, Co  81302. Thank you!

2. Become a Subscriber (Free)

We believe information should be accessible to everyone. If you aren't ready to become a full member, you are still warmly encouraged to join us as a subscriber.

  • The Perk: You will receive all of our news updates, meeting alerts, and community emails at no cost.

  • The Note: While subscribers do not have voting rights, you will always be "in the know" regarding neighborhood happenings.  You are also welcome to provide input via email or in person.

How to Join as a Subscriber:

Join as a subscriber below.

More to come:

A Steering Committee is currently applying for 501(c)(4) status with the state, developing bylaws, formulating membership details, and seeking directors and officers for the governing board.  Please subscribe to stay abreast of these developments as they unfold.  By subscribing, you will be notified of significant developments, issues impacting our neighborhood, and quality-of-life issues.

We define the LNA boundaries as Junction Creek to the north, North Main to the west, and the Animas River to the east and southeast.

We are in the city’s Established Neighborhood-2 (EN-2)

About the LNA and Its Origins

The Library Neighborhood Association (LNA) formed in response to a city proposal to develop Tract C, a parking area at 20th and East Third Avenue. The selected plan by Reynolds & Ash, in partnership with Tri-County Head Start, proposed building a new Head Start school—addressing longstanding needs for improved childcare facilities. A competing proposal for a community garden was not selected.

Concerns arose when the plan also included 22 housing units on nearby Tract F. Neighbors questioned the affordability, density, and potential impacts on traffic, parking, noise, and trees. Some also felt the housing component exceeded the original project scope and needed more public input.

Following community feedback and City Council discussions, Reynolds & Ash withdrew the housing portion. As of early 2026, no new proposals for Tract F have been issued. Development decisions remain guided by the Mercy Medical Center Planned Development Agreement. Go here to view that document.

More Than a Single-Issue Organization

Although formed around the Tract C and F developments, LNA aims to be a broader neighborhood group. Its goal is to foster community connection, share information, and address local concerns collaboratively. While differing opinions are expected, LNA seeks open dialogue and consensus whenever possible.

Group of people gathered outdoors during daytime, some seated and some standing, with a man speaking to the group in front of trees and parked cars.
Group of seven people walking outdoors on a sidewalk, engaged in conversation. There are women and men of various ages, some wearing sunglasses, with trees and parked cars in the background.
Outdoor gathering with people seated on white chairs, attending a presentation or speech, with some standing at a podium and others on a stage, in a garden setting with trees and a decorative wall with plant illustrations, under partly cloudy skies.
Modern school building with glass windows, brick walls, and a landscaped courtyard with trees, flagpole, and American flag, set against a hillside with autumn foliage.
A park with large trees casting shadows on the grassy ground, parked cars along the street, and a building in the background on a sunny autumn day.

Reference Documents

  • Tract F History and Opportunity

    Presentation by Michael French, city Prosperity Office, to City Council on April 7.

    Download PDF

  • Request for Public Hearing Letter

    LNA Letter to Council Seeling a Dedicated Public Hearing Related to Future of Tract F

    Download Letter

  • Community-Based Development Plan Proposal

    A Community-Driven Vision for Community Development

    Download PDF

Current Steering Committee

  • Carrie Allen

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • Beth Crane

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • Martha Evers

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • Emmy Finley

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • Bill LeMaire

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • Annette LeMaire

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • Eve Presler

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • Mary Kay Stewart

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

*In the next few months, the Steering Committee will elect an original board of directors.  Subsequent director openings will be voted upon by LNA members.

LNAD By-laws
Sample Committee Agenda