I'd love to see a little more list discussion (not an argument) about the Walker Library's future.
My understanding is that the Library Board paid for a study last year that showed a $1.5 million financing gap (that means what we taxpayers would pay) if the library moved to a mixed-use building. Further, the new library would be half the size of the current one. In the SW Journal, Councilmember Niziolek floated the idea the city could close that the $1.5 million gap by diverting 15 years worth of property taxes from the new housing to the project (in other words, tax-increment financing). Leaving aside the notion that Lagoon & Hennepin is blighted (a TIF requirement), such a diversion means no gain to the city general fund for 15 years, and a half-sized library. How can that be justified? And I'm not convinced that corner of Lagoon & Hennepin is the best place for more high-intensity development. It's pretty intense there now, including traffic. There is land elsewhere in Southwest, including the Greenway & Nicollet Ave., which can accommodate corridor-housing growth Finally, I'm wondering why we need a task force after the managing authority (the Library Board) paid for a study to analyze the issue. What do task force supporters expect to discover? I realize people think the current Walker library is tomb. Me, I've never minded it. At this point, even though it may hurt to spend $750,000 fixing up a less-than-perfect building, I'd rather do that than get a half-sized library and no net property-tax gain until at least 2020. However, I'm open to being convinced (maybe starting a trend here?). Let's hash it out on the list, and I welcome thoughtful views that differ from my current ones. David Brauer Kingfield 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. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ 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
