[Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[David Brauer]

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