WHITEHOUSE – The Village of Whitehouse’s plans to sell the six-acre property on the northwest corner of the Finzel Road roundabout to the Toledo Lucas County Public Library for a new Whitehouse Branch took many residents by surprise, including Rebecca Rude.
“It was like a punch in the gut,” Rude told village council during its Aug. 5 meeting.
Rude, like many residents, thought the new Whitehouse Branch would be located in Blue Creek Metropark. But changes in funding at the state level impacted that decision, explained Library Public Information Officer Stephanie Elton, who also attended the meeting. So the Library and village began looking for a new location, with at least five acres, on which to build.
As council held a first reading on an ordinance that would allow administration to sell the property to the Library for $620,000, Mayor Rich Bingham asked for citizen comments. Both Rude and Jeff Heaney shared concerns about the location.
Rude, who moved to the area in 1978, complimented the village on the improvements she’s seen over the years: the revitalized downtown, beautiful flowers, limestone planters and the well-landscaped roundabout.
“Every time I drive through, I’m so proud of what Whitehouse has become,” she said.
But with the village being a gateway to the Oak Openings Region, she believes the pollinator area at the roundabout should remain in place, to reflect the natural areas in the Metropark.
Pointing out the window to Blue Creek Metropark behind village hall, Rude said it’s the perfect spot for a library, with the trails and proximity to the quarry.
She recalled being in council chambers in March 2025 for a listening session with the Metroparks and Library representatives, sharing ideas for what was to become a combination library and conservation center.
“We voted for that library to go there. It’s like a bait-and-switch. All these people voted for it,” she said.
Heaney echoed her sentiment, and asked what changed.
In 2024, voters approved a 1-mill bond to fund capital projects throughout the library system, including a new Whitehouse Branch. But in 2025, the Ohio state legislature cut the Public Library Fund, resulting in a $2 million cut in funds used for operational expenses. So TLCPL made several decisions, including closing a branch and reducing hours at several locations, including Waterville, Elton explained.
“These operational challenges have also affected the timing and direction of the Library’s capital plans. Originally slated to be built within Blue Creek Metropark, the Library made the difficult decision to pursue a different location for the Whitehouse Branch due to budget and timeline constraints. While the location has changed, the Library’s commitment to bringing a new branch to Whitehouse has not,” she said. “Our goal is to create a branch that reflects the community it serves and provides greater access to services for residents of Whitehouse and the surrounding areas.”
Listening sessions will be scheduled again to give the community an opportunity to provide input on the design and services for the branch, which will alleviate pressure on the Waterville Branch – which served 88,000 customers and circulated 287,000 items in 2025. The area has grown tremendously since the TLCPL first considered a branch in the village. In the time since, the independent Whitehouse Library was installed at Blue Creek Metropark and run by volunteers for over 20 years, demonstrating a need. Once the new branch is open, the Whitehouse Library will close.
“A new Whitehouse branch will help address that demand while expanding access to library services for a growing community,” Elton said. “Locating the branch within the village also means residents will have the opportunity to access their library by walking, biking and other forms of transportation, not just by car.”
The village has owned the 6-acre, commercially zoned property since purchasing the land for the roundabout, built in 2015, and has been actively looking for the right fit. Bingham noted that other possible users have approached the village about purchasing the property, including a hotel and gas station. While the Library plans to hold community listening sessions to inform the design and offerings at the branch, developers of a gas station or hotel would not do that, Bingham told Rude after the meeting.
Rude also wondered what would happen with the Whitehouse Library, which sits on land owned by the Metroparks, once the new branch opens. The Metroparks is open to working on improvements to Blue Creek, including more pollinator areas, Bingham said.
Daugherty said he spoke with Library Executive Director Jason Kucsma earlier in the day about the opportunity to incorporate botanical features into the landscape of the new branch. And the Metroparks are advising the village as it works on its S.R. 64 corridor plans, which include bringing more botanical life and pollinator areas.
Council held a first reading on the ordinance authorizing Daugherty to sell the the property to the library. A second reading will be held on Sept. 1, and a third and final reading on Sept. 15.
Council member Joe Bublick expressed gratitude for the citizens who came to the meeting to share their concerns in person. After reading dozens of comments on the article posted on the Anthony Wayne Free Press Facebook page on Aug. 3, Bublick said he understands the frustration.
“Everyone on village council hears you and are committed to maintaining a balance between community growth without sacrificing what makes us special. Have faith,” he said. “I believe that economic development is something that can happen hand-in-hand with retaining the things that make Whitehouse unique, like our beautiful botanical areas.”
During the meeting, council also:
–Held a first reading on an ordinance to purchase 10125 Waterville St. for $200,000.
-Held a first reading on two ordinances relating to Country Meadows South, a housing development that had a site plan approved by the Planning Commission. One ordinance would void the site plan, while another would substitute it with another plan. Developer Charlie Grass of Artisan CraftBuilt Homes was in the audience but did not comment.
-Held first readings on ordinances related to pay classifications and benefit steps, vacation accruals and comp time.
-Heard that Ice Cream with Mayor and Council will be held at Whitehouse Park on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., with ice cream and an opportunity for conversation with village leaders.
-Learned that Village Council will not have a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 18. A Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 11.
-Heard Bingham say that a resident contacted him about possibly putting a fence up in front of the recycling center to prevent trash from blowing in neighbors’ yards.
-Approved the purchase of a 2026 Ford F550 4×4 Braun Select ambulance.
-Heard that new police officer Jon LeGrand took the oath of office.
