Glad this thread finally took.
Although I recently had a chance to sit down with library backers, I didn't
have the insight to ask all the right questions. A few more have come to
mind:
1. What is the cost of warehousing/moving the current library for three
years, versus buying land elsewhere downtown?
2. Given that the former Nicollet Hotel block is empty, why not build the
new library there, then demolish the current library across the street and
put the parking/housing there?
3. How vital is tax-increment financing to this project? I've heard some
folks refer to a four-block TIF district, or a two block TIF which I assume
includes the library and the parking ramp. While I generally support the
library plan, I generally opposed to expanding TIF (call me a middling Wally
Swan). Do I have to take TIF to get a new downtown library?
Thanks to everyone for mixing it up on this. I'm learning a lot...
David Brauer
King Field - Ward 10
