The idea of a new library in Normal Heights has raised a lot of good questions from the community. Here are the most important ones along with some clarifications. This is a perfect time for raising questions as changes to a plan are cheapest when still on paper!
Q: The Library Master Plan is really long what is the TLDR; recommendation?
A: “The Kensington-Normal Heights Library should be Replaced with a new facility of at least 25,000 square feet. Kensington Park is a valued green space in the neighborhood. Further study and community outreach is needed to determine whether the park could (or should) accommodate a larger library building. If not, the library should relocate to an alternate site that could be part of a mixed use development with housing or other uses. If an alternate location happens, the existing facility is an opportunity for future community uses.”
Q: Will building a new library increase our real estate taxes?
A: No. Unlike some projects there would be no “maintenance assessment district” or other special asessment created. The library system is funded out of the general fund and the construction of new libraries are paid for by Developer Impact Fees which the city has already collected.
Q: Would the sale of the old library and beautiful parcel of land that goes with it pay for the new library?
A: No. The Kensington Mini-Park that the current branch library sits in is deed restricted as a park. A building approaching the size of a modern branch library would consume too much land violating the covenant.
Additionally, it would not be prudent to sell a park to pay for a library as there are many funding sources available.
Q: I really like the current location of our library. Would it be more cost effective to build a new library on that same location?
A: No. The Library Master Plan recommends 25,000 sq. ft. in order to support the functions of a modern library. Larger libraries are more cost effective to run and best managed when on a single floor. This then drives the search for large tracts like 35th and Adams or the parking lots at Vons or Rite Aid on Adams Ave.
Q: What would the old library be replaced with?
A: The general consensus of library staff and other decision makers is using building as a children’s center with an increase in areas for program activities. The Library Master Plan states “If an alternate location happens, the existing facility is an opportunity for future community uses.”
Q: Will the land DeMille’s sets on be sold to the city or are we going to pay millions of dollars in rent over the years?
A: City facilities typically are built on City owned land to be able to control costs and use. Public/private partnerships work out cost sharing or lease agreements on structures and facilities.
The city currently has millions of dollars in collected Developer Impact Fees with and without defined projects attached. There are also many other sources of funding for library infrastructure including private foundations, state grants, and cost sharing via public/private partnership.