Press Release
The Geauga County Public Library (GCPL) and the Geauga County Board of Commissioners are proud to announce a strategic partnership that underscores a shared commitment to community well-being, fiscal responsibility, and innovation in public service. The County has signed a Letter of Intent to purchase GCPL’s Administrative Center at 12701 Ravenwood Drive in Chardon for $3.2 million and repurpose it as the new permanent home of the Geauga County Department on Aging’s Chardon Senior Center.
This forward-thinking collaboration is intended to enhance access to programs and services for the county’s senior residents, while enabling the Library to consolidate operations for long-term cost efficiency. This represents a significant milestone for both institutions — one rooted in a vision of sustainability, accessibility, and service excellence.
“For years, we’ve been searching for a permanent home for our Chardon Senior Center,” said Jessica Boalt, Director of the Geauga County Department on Aging. “Now, that vision is closer to becoming a reality.”
As part of the agreement, GCPL will maintain a temporary presence in the building during the planned transition period to ensure uninterrupted services. Once the transition is complete, the Library’s administrative and support staff will relocate to the newly constructed Chardon Branch, which features dedicated office space designed to consolidate central operations under one roof.
“This is a win-win for the Library and the County,” said Kris Carroll, Library Director. “By co-locating our administrative offices with the new Chardon Branch, we’re streamlining operations, reducing overhead, and ensuring that our resources are used in the most efficient and community-focused way possible.” This move supports the Library’s long-term strategic plan. By consolidating facilities, GCPL can lower maintenance costs and reinvest those savings into enhancing patron services.
“This process highlights the power of cooperation in local government,” said James W. Dvorak, President of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners. “The plan is to turn a valuable public asset into a multi-use facility that benefits our senior population and helps meet the evolving needs of our County.”
Next Steps and What to Expect
The transition process will be managed in stages. The County will begin negotiating a purchase and sales agreement and a lease, in addition to preliminary space planning and design for renovations tailored to senior programming in the coming months. Further updates on the project will be shared by the County and GCPL through their official communication channels.