It's great to see there is list discussion of the central library site choices. I agree with Sheldon Mains that this is the most significant public building Minneapolis will build in the next 50 years, so it's important we hear from more people.
My big pitch for doing this building includes the fact that in a period of mass privatization of public space, we are about to build the one place where everyone can come together...for the highest purpose. I am genuinely pleased with either site. Here's my thinking on why I voted last night for the North Block: I've had some level of involvedment with this project off and on for about 10 years and have always thought we should locate this building as close to the central core as possible. Libraries, I've felt, should be the central gathering place for cities so I've always wanted to get this one as close as possible to the 7th and Nicollet area. That's one of the reasons why I originally thought it should be on Block E, and why I have also thought over time we should consider blocks like the one where the Hennepin Center for the Arts is located, or the former Power's block. So when faced with two options...the current library block or one a block further from the core, it would seem I would go for the library block. Closer to the skyway, etc. That's how I entered this process, but my thinking evolved as I heard the various architects interviewed for the project talk about the sites. More and more I began to see their points that the "North Block"---the one between Hennepin and Nicollet, on Washington---is really one of the most pivotal blocks in the city. It's the link between the river and central city, between housing and office-retail, flanked by a park on the old Federal Reserve plaza and remnants of the old Gateway park to the north, the historic link between Hennepin and Nicollet Avs. My problem with its distance from the traditional core of downtown is also changing as it's becoming more and more possible that we can build the "Downtown Circulator." This is a Nicollet Mall shuttle similar to one in Denver that will quickly move people up and down the street. The combination of the shuttle, and a library on the North Site begins to elevate the role of Nicollet Mall. Today it's a retail street. But the library, and the shuttle, help turn this into a civic street...it pulls together convention center, Orchestra Hall, the shopping core, LRT and the library...which becomes a gateway to the riverfront. That happens in a lesser degree if the library is on its current site...but the new building would be somewhat in the shadow of the taller buildings on all sides. That has an impact on larger issues, like whether it would have the dramatic presence we want it to have, and smaller issues like whether reading rooms would be able to have natural light. Those of you who know Seattle will see there is a somewhat similar situation there in which the museum of modern art in downtown may be a significant building but really doesn't stand out as it should because its site is a tight fit between two buildings. The Mall site is better than that but it still has less presence to me than the north block. There are other issues beyond urban design. They include the fact that if we build the library on the North Block the larger south block will be left for development. This is important because tax increment off development on this block will help pay for the library...the more land, esp. closer to the core, the more I believe we can generate to help pay for the library. It was tough to vote against the recommendation of the library staff. They made the case that building on the smaller North Block would mean they would have to shift the layout of departments. This should be taken seriously, but Pelli, and, as I recall, most of the architects interviewed for the project were clear that both sites had sufficient space for the library. Over the years writing about or being part of developments, I've learned to take the "program" of a building...the requirements...seriously...BUT you should not become a slave to them. Often the best buildings are not those on clear symmetrical blocks, and the ones where innovative architects challenge the original assumptions to create something better. The decision we made last night was essentially to direct the architects to double check their conclusion that the library fits and works well on both sites. This will be done by Pelli's team and the library consultant that is part of the team. This is exactly why that consultant was added to the team, and a perfect use of this skill. Knowing the library staff has concerns, let's make sure they are taken into account and can be solved. The month it will take to get this answer is more than worth it in my book. While I voted for the North Site last night, I'm open to be convinced otherwise....I'm encouraging other members of the committee to try to be flexible enough to hear the new arguments....and think this is a great time for the public to get into this discussion so we get more opinions. Fire away. R.T. Rybak East Harriet _______________________________________ 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
