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

[Jeff Rosenberg]

Let me preface this by saying that I know just about nothing about the
current Walker Library situation. I would greatly appreciate it if some
people could (off-list) direct me as to where I could read up on it. I'd
like to comment on the funding and size issues, but it'd be pretty ignorant
of me to do so at the moment.
 
I think that housing the library in a mixed-use building would be great. It
would be in keeping with the character of Uptown, provide a place for new
housing (possibly condos . . . I've heard they're big right now :-), and
improve the streetscape of that corner of Lagoon & Hennepin. I'll admit
that I love the huge letters that stand above the library, but the above
ground space is being wasted - it is neither a building nor particularly
useful open space. Why not add taxes from that parcel, which must be worth
a tidy sum, to our coffers?
 
David Brauer wrote:

> 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?

It can't. Absolutely agreed.
 
> And I'm not convinced that corner of Lagoon & Hennepin is the best place
for
> more high-intensity development. 

It's definitely a place for high-intensity development. The whole
attraction of Uptown is its high-density, mixed-use style. Development on
the corner of Lagoon and Hennepin would enhance that, as well as adding a
decent sum to the city's tax base.

> It's pretty intense there now, including traffic. 

I don't see this affecting traffic. We're talking about one building,
located in a place which would enable people to get to and from home
without owning a car.

> There is land elsewhere in Southwest, including the Greenway &
> Nicollet Ave., which can accommodate corridor-housing growth

As it should . . . in addition to Lagoon / Hennepin, not instead of it.

Again, I'd very much like to read up on this further . . . so please send
me whatever you've got!

--Jeff Rosenberg
Cedar-Riverside
Where we don't have ANY library . . . nuts.