Regarding what happens if the state says no to the planetarium:
This is a bonding session at the legislature and this project and many
others will be up for consideration (I understand that St. Paul is asking
for a huge amount of money for a variety of projects). If the Planet arum
is not funded by the legislature, it will not get built unless other
funding is found. With creative architectural design, the library could be
designed to add the Planetarium in a phase 2 (although that would not be
ideal). If it is partially funded, depending on the level of funding, it
can be built to be expanded (a MAJOR cost is the equipment--we could just
build the space for parts of the planetarium project and not open all of
it.
I don't object to asking the legislature for money, but to say that because St. Paul is asking we should too is not a good argument. I am dumbfounded as to why St. Paul continues to get money for projects, except it would appear their legislators must have a better rapport with the money people than Mpls legislators. In addition, most of their projects are "Minnesota" projects (if you look at their name). However, as I have said before, I think it's time to think out of the box. If you want money from the state, then show that you can raise a good portion of it locally. I think the Mpls Library has the wherewithall to do that. Their "Friends" group is fairly influential and it would seem if they're interested in a Planatarium they could raise part of the money. Bonding years at the legislature are always a crap shoot and if you come in with something different you'll stand a much better chance.
Karen Collier
Linden Hills
