BROWNSVILLE LIBRARY OPENS IN OLD MASONIC LODGE

A big step for the Brownsville community -- the new library on West DeSoto is now open. County officials cut the ribbon on Thursday morning. The library is in the old Masonic Lodge building -- an 8-thousand square foot facility with a library and cafe on the first floor, and multi-use community space on the second floor. It will provide free access to high-speed internet for the community, with computers available or wifi for people to bring their own devices. It's a big transformation for a building that was once slated for demolition. The county says the renovation uncovered a lot of issues with the building including asbestos, structural issues, and termite damage. But with those issues fixed Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May calls it a "beacon of hope" for Brownsville.