I had not seen Wally Swan's letter in the Strib so I
am thankful to David Brauer for reprinting it on this
site.
I don't think Mr. Swan, whom I've never met, deserves
the response he has so far received in this forum. I
found his analysis cogent and I saw no evidence of a
suggestion that favored recent developments in the
city. to the contrary, in a very tactful manner he
seemed to disfavor the recent behavior of the
council's running up a large tab on credit.
I concur wholeheartedly with his analysis and the in-
evitable and prudent conclusion that this is not the
proper time to be passing a $140 million referendum
for a new central library and branch improvements.
It pains me to say this. I use the library daily. For
some time I have wanted a new central library. I think
a grand central library would speak volumes about our
values as a society, that above all we appreciate
learning and free access to information; that we truly
appreciate good architecture and it's ameliorative
effects; etc.
to the purely economic reasons Mr. Swan offers I would
add concerns I have expressed privately to people on
the library board.
I do not want the city to build another public bldg.
that outstrips its usefulness in 40 years. I wonder
where the city might be 50, 100 years from now. Which
direction will it grow? Presumably, all the new
buildings along Nicollet today will become Class B
office buildings and new development will have arisen
somewhere else. Will Nicollet Mall still exist as it
does now?
Remember that the preceding library was erected at
11th and Hennepin, well away from the center of
activity and in the intervening years a commercial
area built up around it.
Steve Brandt's article spoke of the library in its
present location being a factor in residential living
along Hennepin and that was part of the justification
for it staying on that site. Where will this housing
be? Am I missing something here? I may well be as I am
not privy to much that goes on around here.
He also spoke of the added cost of building on the
present site that would necessitate moving everything
twice and leave us without a central library for a
time. Why would we want to do that? Is every block,
every parcel of land in the downtown area spoken for
already? Who keeps track of that inventory? Can we
mere mortals see the register, the secret plan?
I have my own ideas for possible sites. Along the
river near Mill Ruins Park might make sense. Good
synergy what with an archaeological dig, the nearby
Center for the Book Arts, proximity to the U of M,
etc. Another site might be toward Loring Park to fit
between Minneapolis Comm. and Tech College and the
University of St. Thomas. Presumably their students
might take advantage of the library. Maybe we could
tap other budgets; it is not as though only citizens
of Mpls. use the central library.
I don't know these things. They may have been
discussed in Library Board meetings. I apologize for
my lack of knowledge. I do think though that we are
presented with this enormous request for bonding
authority with scant details at best.
And then there is the link between the neighborhood
libraries and the central libraries. Am I cynical or
is this a vaguely transparent ploy to tug at the heart
strings of parents and neighborhood activists. And do
I understand the emphasis on a children's section at
the central library at the very same time as the city
is building beaucoup developments to attract empty
nesters. Like most parents don't take the kidilumpers
to the neighborhood libraries and wouldn't be caught
dead taking the kids downtown.
I'm degenerating here and I did so want to be all
business like Wally Swan.
In early Spring the former finance director of the
city was wondering aloud if we might not see 10%
increases in property taxes for each of the next two
or three years. Given that opinion, is this any time
to approve this referendum?
I suspect that even without passing this referendum it
may be likely we'll see the city's bond rating
decline. It most certainly will with it's approval. We
need to sit back for a brief while and digest a bit of
the intake from our recent binge. Minneapolis will
have a new Central Library though now may not be the
time.
Tim Connolly
Ward 7
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