I do support smart urban planning principles such as mixed-use projects and
green buildings. The issue here is a funding gap of over a million dollars.
The library board found this out in our original study (over two years ago) and
that is why (as well as a sense of urgency to repair the parking deck for the
safety of our patrons) the library board requested the bonds to be sold and the
roof/parking deck to be repaired. The City Council rejected our bond request
and the Walker Library Task Force was formed (July 2004) to study a mixed-use
project on the same site of the library. There were some very interesting and
exciting proposals presented to the task force, but none of them were feasible
at this time. We also were able to clarify the cost and options on repairing
the parking deck.
I will support a financially sound mixed-use project that includes a greatly
enhanced library for the residents and patrons at Walker. We need more
community engagement in issues related to mix-use and height of the project.
I support the minimal repairs to the parking deck/roof that will keep the
Walker Library safe for our patrons, allow the library to remain open, and a
proper (long-term) study of a mixed-use development that will provide a greatly
enhanced library. This option will limit traffic in parking lot, install
barriers at ends to limit height of vehicles, limit the load capacity, and
repair cracks in the concrete roof structure. Repair of the cracks would
restore the structure to its original strength. (cost estimate: $134,000
short-term vs. over $675,000 long-term complete fix).
Below is the resolution that passed by the Walker Task Force and will be
forwarded to the Library Board, if approved by the board the request will be
sent to the City Council for final approval for bonds to be sold.
Thank you,
Rod Krueger
Library Board
Nokomis East - 12th Ward
www.rodkrueger.org
WALKER LIBRARY TASK FORCE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Walker Library Task Force ("Task Force") concludes that a greatly
improved Walker Library is necessary to meet the library service needs of the
immediate community; and
WHEREAS, the Walker Library Task Force met on February 23, 2005 to review four
development proposals submitted to redevelop the Walker Library as a mixed-use
development on the current Walker Library site, and concluded further that
additional financial analysis of the proposals was warranted; and
WHEREAS, subsequent CPED staff analysis concluded that none of the four
development proposals is likely to be financially feasible; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force acknowledged the importance of a comprehensive
community engagement to inform the scope of a potential mixed-use Walker
Library Project, particularly regarding design issues related to the Walker
Library site redevelopment, as well as additional information pertaining to
proposed developments in the vicinity of Walker Library; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force acknowledges that the Walker Library parking deck is in
need of structural repair; and
WHEREAS, the Library Board has approved a Community Library Capital Projects
(CLPC) schedule for all community libraries, with Walker Library improvements
planning to begin in 2008; and
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Walker Library Task Force hereby
recommends rejection of all development proposals received under the Walker
Library RFP dated 1 February 2005;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Library Board determine the best way to
mitigate the structural damage in light of the consensus expressed for a
greatly improved Walker Library;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Library Board might consider revisiting the
CLCP schedule, moving the Walker Library Capital Project up.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, when the Library Board commences the Walker
Library Capital Project design process, the Library Board and City Council
jointly begin to pursue the development of a greatly improved, financially
feasible Walker Library, and during the design process, engage the community to
develop mixed-use design parameters pertaining to height, density, traffic
volume and patterns, and relation of site development to foot, bicycle, auto
and mass transit traffic, as well as surrounding land uses.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Walker Library Task Force be dissolved.
[Mpls] Walker library and Bureau of Mines
Dorie Rae Gallagher
Tue, 05 Apr 2005 23:29:39 -0700
The Walker Library Task Force came to the conclusion that there is no money no
matter how you slice, dice, price and tif. The short term patch would be for 10
years at a price of $134,000.00.
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