From: "David Brauer"
> Friendly correction here: the library folks have a contingency list of > Central Library items that could be delayed **IF** fundraising runs > short.right now, they are short of a November goal, but such a gap is > possible, not certain. ....... > The fundraising shortfall was accurate as of mid-September. If anyone from > the library system has an updated figure, could they let the list know? The original funding plan for the new Central Library assumed that $15 M would be raised from private donations. It is also true that we do not have all of these funds in hand today. It is premature to say that there is a "shortfall" however. There never was an assumption that all of the funds would be raised by this point in the project. In fact, we assumed that it would still take time to raise these funds, especially as the fundraisers haven't had a lot of time to work on the campaign. Also, the City's sometimes waivering commitment to the project has not helped the fundraising. There are several years yet until the project is complete and at least several more years to complete the fund raising. So I think it is a bit unfair to say that there is a "shortfall" when the fundraising work isn't complete. We have talked about what things that could be deferred in case the project doesn't raise all of the funds that were originally projected. This hasn't just been restricted to $4.3 M (which would be the savings from not finishing half the fourth floor) but to all the remaining funds to be raised which are about $10 M at this point. That is the prudent thing to do. I will also say that if these things were to be implemented, some of them would seriously compromise the plan for the building. So we are looking at other options to make sure that the project meets budget. I am confident that we will find a way of making it work. Staff are developing these options for future meetings. Carol Becker Longfellow Central Library Oversight Committee Member REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
