Here are a few more considerations to add to Colin's great summary of the issues:
Key: > equals Colin comments SM: equals my additions SM:The committee asked the architects to pursue two options--the Library AND planetarium on the North block or the Library AND the Planetarium on the South block. SM: One issue to consider is how people will get to the library. Walking, transit, private car, school bus (field trips), that weird new invention (segway?) ;-} It is assumed that parking will be included in the two block development (the committee hopes that it can include some underground parking under the library block for patrons. >The major advantages of the north block are: > >1. A more visible building at the meeting point of three major streets >(Hennepin, Nicollet and Washington). >2. Adjacencies to green spaces on the Marquette and Gateway Plazas. SM: Because of the open space, this means that the library will be much more visible. >3. The convenience of not having to run a skyway through the Library (the >Library would be the terminus point). SM: This could be a major issue. Not having a skyway run through the library simplifies the design, reduces security issues, and eliminates having to build the floor space needed for the skyway (It would have to be built similar to the new Target skyway as opposed to how the skyway runs trough Daytons). SM: 4. It would create a great cluster of three great architectural buildings--The NWNational Life/Reliastar/ING Yamasaki bldg, the old (not the "really old") Fed Reserve bldg, and the new library. SM:5. One block closer to the river parkway and the Mill Ruins park (still a long walk) SM: 6. Because of the slight dogleg Washington Avenue makes at Hennepin, there will be a great view of the Library coming into downtown from Washington Ave North. Disadvantages to the North block: SM: 1. Much smaller site (see below) SM: 2. One block further away from the retail core and business core. SM: 3 One block further away from the LRT station SM: 4 While the Planetarium would have some type of on-street presence, it would likely have to be at the sixth floor--not easy to get to, requiring fairly high capacity elevator(s) for school kids, out of the traffic flow (creative planning could help,but this is a real drawback > >It now seems that even if the Library is moved to the north block, there >will still be an interim site so that housing construction could begin ASAP. >In other words, moving to the north block would not eliminate the >inconvenience of interim operations, nor would there be any obvious cost >savings. SM: I was an advocate of building on the north block to save the cost of the interim library. I am now convinced that no matter what, we need than interim library. So, the site selection will not impact the cost of the interim library. > >The major advantages of the south block are: > >1. Because it is a larger block, there should be fewer compromises to the >Library program. (The Library would be a very tight fit on the north block, >and that could mean shrinking or dividing departments, or losing valuable >internal adjacencies.) >2. Because it is a larger block, there is more opportunity for on-site >parking. >3. It is closer to the downtown core. SM: 4. Because it is a larger block, there is more opportunity for a plaza on the block. SM: 5. One block closer to the LRT station (only one block away) SM: 6. One block closer to the "family entertainment???" of block E SM: 7. Planetarium could be on second or third floor with more space on the street level (see disadvantages above) Negatives of South Block SM: 1. Futher away from the River, Mill Ruins park SM: 2. Surrounded by larger buildings (once the Ritz block is developed) SM: 3. Would need skyway connections on at least the north, south and east sides--potential significant security issues and the cost of building the space needed for the internal skyway connections > >Most of the Library leadership prefers the south/current block, because they >believe that *internally* it will be a better library. ....others on the Implementation Committee who prefer the north block, mostly >because of its significance in the city. > >What do you think? > >Colin Hamilton >Executive Director >Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library >612/630-6172 >612/630-6180 (fax) >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >_______________________________________ >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 _______________________________________ 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
