DeWayne said: "Build the best operational library possible. The city changes. How the library fits the city should not compromise the function of the library."
The best operational library would probably be built on a 10 acre site so all the adjacencies and functional relationships could be solved appropriately, but that is not the case. And the context of placement of a "downtown" library IS a part of the best operation possible. Listen to your architect, Cesar Pelli. You hired him for a reason. He has experience and knowledge from all over the world and has recognized the best location of the two available sites is the north block. Function is important, but I do not believe it will cause operational problems that can't be overcome in other ways. The chance to make the connection of this site between Nicollet Mall and the river is tremendous. It also leaves a much better development opportunity between the south block and the Ritz hotel block or the blocks south of that. In the financial times we are in, Minneapolis is going to need all the leverage it has to make development happen. So make a great statement and a wonderful library at the entrance to Nicollet Mall on the North block, connect Nicollet to the river and gateway in a sensitive way and build the best functioning library on that block (don't forget to think 3 dimensionally by using boxcars and connections above and below the street to the other blocks including the vast old Federal Reserve underground). Then leverage the south block against development in other blocks. Good luck. Russell W. Peterson Saint Michael _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
