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04/29/1997 - Special :..t..:...'J,',':.:~. ,..1,.:.,,'.... .,',:':", .:,:t......~..,~, '.:.:..~......:.........{.::...'~"t"'~' ,.'. ",." ': " "::" ,. .'.., .' ~ 'r ,:. ".' ,I'~' " . '. '?' , . .L . _" "( ~,.. . "~", . 'i \' I . ~.' .. " ? . " ~ , . < , , "L . " ~ ,.ie s~ lef1-t./o n - lask, foy~e,; LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES , Date J ~ LtG, " " . ,', ". "." " ," - " ' ' , ' . , , ' , \ ... -,;-""""""".;.,.\.'..,.,.,1",."."".,.0, , ' '. I "'/ :,. ", " "'" '0'" 'u'. ~ . " ,;. , , , . I' ' .' I , '. , . " ' ,.' " . , .', \ . ..' . , (, " .- CLEARWATER MAIN LIBRARY SITE SELECTION TASK FORCE CITY OF CLEARWATER April 29, 1997 Present: Tony Bacon Kathy Rabon Glenn Garte Christine Morris Julie Lewis David Berry Wally Dutton Brooke Hartley Don Gage Rita Garvey Ed Hooper J. B. Johnson Bob Clark Brenda Moses Absent: . Bob Keller Judy Melges Chair Task Force Member/Clearwater Chamber of Commerce Task Force Member/Library Advisory Board ' Task Force Member/Library Advisory Board Task Force Member/Library Foundation Executive Director Friends Board Foundation Board Friends Board Foundation Board Mayor City Commissioner City Commissioner City Commissioner Board Reporter Task Force Member/ Assistant City ManagerlEconomic and Development Task Force MemberlLibrary Advisory Board/Friends Board The meeting was called to order by Chair Bacon at the Main Clearwater (~~) Library at 3:35 p.m. in the third floor conference room, Main Library, Clearwater. In ~~J order to provide continuity for research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Welcome and Introductions: Tonv Bacon. Chair Chair Bacon welcomed everyone to the meeting and expressed appreciation for their dedication to serve on this Site Selection Task Force. Everyone Introduced themselves. 2. Site Selection Task Force Puroose and Goals: Tonv Bacon Chair Bacon explained that the Library Board had been asked for their recommendation for a new site for the Clearwater Main Library. Mr. Bacon suggested the formation of this task force because it is too important a decision for anyone Board to make alone regarding the site for a new Main Library. This must be a cooperative effort of Task Team members to select the best available site. It is of utmost importance that this Task Team be dedicated and move swiftly but cautiously in selecting a site to ensure fund-raising does not lose its momentum. Everyone was asked to remain open-minded and void of any bias regarding anyone site. This Task Team will be asked to recommend to the Commission the site that will best serve Clearwater's future. o mTF0497 1 04/29/97 .. .. . ~ , A. Distribution of Library Building Program Dr. Hallam distributed a copy of the Library Building Program as presented by Mr. David Henington, Library Consultant. In 1992 the City Commission budgeted funds for a new Main Library Building Program. The Building Program was updated fast winter, incorporating more flexibility into the design. Dr. Hallam referred to page 105 of the Program, citing net square footage requirements of assignable spaces. She also distributed a handout entitled "Checklist of Library Building Design Consideration" by William W. Sannwald. The checklist walks through the library site selection criteria and will be helpful to this Task Team. Another handout was a memo from Dr. Hallam to the City Commission, Chamber of Commerce and Business Community dated March 31, 1997. The memo was a summary of main library usage statistics. 3. Sites which have been Mentioned: Arlita Hallam. Librarv Director Dr. Hallam noted that after careful scrutiny by consultants, a minimum of 5 acres would be required for a workable new Main Library. Visibility is a very important consideration in the construction of a new Main Library. Libraries are good catalysts for development. A. East End (Missouri and Cleveland) l:} This site was the old City Annex building and is CityMowned. This site is near a bus line, highly visible, at the intersection of two highly traveled streets, and easy to work with since the land is flat and unencumbered. A remark was made that this property should be utilized for high technology, or entertainment purposes including an art center. It was noted that this area could be utilized for a main library, a cultural center for performing arts, and a parking garage to accommodate all three activities. It was pointed out that there are 1 7 acres on the East End site and there is a golden opportunity to increase the City's tax base by utilizing this property appropriately. This corner has generated a lot of interest. General consensus by the City Commission is that something very synergistic that will spin off lots of value- added jobs would be ideal for this property. It was suggested considering convincing a local college to share that site, knowing they could share resources, with the new Library. B. Bluff (Osceola and Drew) This site has an 82-year tradition, has a gorgeous view, and patrons know where it is located. It was noted that although this property is City-owned, there is no opportunity for growth. It was remarked that the Bluff and the Library are two of the City's most valuable assets. It was remarked that most people consider the Bluff area as "downtown". o Another remark was made that should the Bluff become an entertainment- type area, the Library could become lost in the shuffle. Some disagreement was expressed. mTF0497 2 04/29/97 ~ C. Crest Lake IFrontage on Gulf-to-Bayl c " Central Permitting submitted a suggestion for a new Clearwater Main Library at Crest Lake Park, with the main entrance facing Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. It was felt that the Crest Lake Park site would be a bad idea due to the enormous traffic already existing on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, the distance from the downtown area, and the design of the Library building would have to be rectangular to fit the site. The 'East Library serves a major portion of the community, therefore this site may not be necessary. It was felt that a library site in the downtown area would better serve the governmental offices and downtown patrons. Adding concrete to this area would not be the highest and best use of the property. D. Municipal Quad (Prospect/Park/Pierce/Myrtle) This proposal was originally submitted in 1995. The plan called for the Library on Prospect, Park, Pierce and Myrtle Avenue, next to the Municipal Service Building. E. Others? :~ A question was asked if the Library could be built on the existing City Hall site. It was noted that the City Hall site would not be able to hold the weight of library books and shelves, nor does it have sufficient parking for patrons and employees. Discussion ensued regarding whether the old utilities site is large enough to accommodate a new Library. Further research will need to be done before this site could be considered. Building a library and attaching to the Harborview Center would work only if Harborview ceased being a convention center. Should it become a Civic Center with existing rooms being used as art center and meeting rooms, a library might work. Opposition to this idea was expressed which included the problem with parking. Discussion ensued regarding the old Clearwater Junior High School site on Cleveland Avenue and Greenwood Avenue. That property is privately owned, but the acreage is unknown. Dr. Hallam will research property size and report back to the Task Team. Should this be a consideration, it could affect the operation and , plans for the Greenwood Library. It was noted that the current Main Library brings over 1,000 people per day to its location, and this Task Team should consider where they would like 1,000 people to come. The Library is a "destination" and those who frequent it will continue to do so regardless of its location. It was suggested not putting the Library on a main street because of safety reasons for children. o mTF0497 3 04/29/97 B. May 19-21: Field Trip to Charlotte, N. C. and Columbia, S. C. Public Libraries ~ 4. Selection of Sites to be Studied or Reiected The Task Team agreed that 3 sites from the ones discussed at this meeting were the most desirable: 1) East End property; 2) the Bluff; and 3) the old Clearwater Junior High School site. Using the Library Building Program criteria, Task Team members were asked to review how these 3 sites fit the criteria necessary for a new Main Library. 5. Selection Process: (Possible timeline) A. May 16: 1100 a.m. - 1 :00 p.m. Meyer Weitzman Presentation Adler Room (Includes Lunch) Dr. Hallam explained that Meyer Weitzman is an architecture student at USF. As his Master's Project, he went through the process for a new Library. He looked at various options and chose the Bluff site and how it could be developed. Dr. Hallam would like this Task Team to attend a presentation by Mr. Weitzman and share their opinions regarding his views. Members may be able to gain another spin on what is needed and what would be the best choice for the new Library. ,::) This Task Team, staff and anyone in attendance today are welcome to attend this field trip to get ideas for a new Clearwater Main Library. The Columbia Library is very modern but very "Iow tech". It was put in an area intended to be an urban renewal generator, and now some of the art centers, businesses and facilities have grown around it. The Charlotte Library is a traditional downtown library, but very "high tech". It was suggested taking a video camera. Dr. Hallam noted there are slides on both libraries available for review. C. May 27: Luncheon meeting with several library architects discussing site pros and cons (Harborview?) Dr. Hallam invited library architects to review the various sites under consideration to present their views for a new Main Library. They will be looking at the issue, not trying to sell the City on hiring their firm. A final recommendation would be made by the end of the meeting. D. May 29: Luncheon meeting to make recommendation (Main Library Board Room) 6. Discussion It was remarked that this Task Force is going to make a decision on a very small piece of the puzzle. It was suggested that this team needs to understand and have knowledge of all other plans for economic development in the City. o mTF0497 4 04/29/97 . : . . \,' \ + . ,: '. " ' '. .. ~ - ,... , . ... .., .. ....... ~. ,: ;' , " I ,. I. . ,.'.. I' ' I : , '. ,\,,;' ". ..'.:,' :'. ;.,;"~' ,:,:,,/::,:~:'~r::~:'t/),~{.{~';~~)j~";?:\\t\~:,.(;:ti'~.'::.,::":!';}.: \:'",.:;.',: :,,'!~.~.' ;, , ~ " >. ,'. .., !~ 7. Adiaurnment The meeting adjourned at 4:57 p.m. /. ,t ~ ' "-t~L~d-I)', ~ Clearwater Main Library Site Selection Task Force " . ., ," , " o . .', " l. " . '01 ~~ . ,I :' . . :'l(~ '...., . \ " , . ,~'!. + \ , mTF0497. 5 04/29/97 \:;'-.'.-.' ,,-,..~,..,'.:'..""\",':' ',' """'.~".,",',.".." ,:.,'.... , : " ',:. . - , " . ". .' ~' .'. '.-. . " ,.'. ,. , ", '. ' " . ' ," 'I'., L. I ' '11- ,', " '