Loading...
05/16/1997 - Task Force (2) '1':" ,.', ,'...., '. ::' :,,' \. _~_''-lk:'J''.'~'_:I.....~_.~l''l'.'''' ,.',..,:'.".. ,','~' "', ',' .'~'...." ""::,' :,,:': ....,1 " I .:.' ( " !Jii~ Se,/etdirnu , '{is, J: fo-ree., LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES Date . } ?3 51 ' ;. '. . I~ ~. :. "." " . '. " . . . J' .'.', , . :. ' . <' I . . .. '. " "'-.,",."'."."""'.."""'."" ".,,' ," ,\. .,'" ", ",.,," ~I"'I-': ..., ,'" ,':'.'<' .: ....,I..~ . I I '11-... ' J '. . '. '.' , ' , ",lr. ..&:. I ~ . CLEARWATER MAIN LIBRARY SITE SELECTION TASK FORCE CITY OF CLEARWATER May 16, 1997 Present: Tony Bacon Don Gage Wally Dutton Glenn Garte Christine Morris David Berry Judy Melges Julie Lewis Shirley Hunt Rita Garvey J. B. Johnson Bob Keller Arlita Hallam Sandy Glatthorn Randy Park Park Gowan Anita Kumar Meyer Weitzman Brenda Moses t~ "'i'iitil Absent: Brooke Hartley Karen Seel Ed Hooper Kathy Rabon Bob Clark Chair Board Member/Foundation Board ' Board Member/Foundation Board Board Member/Library Advisory Board Board Member/Library Advisory Board/Friends Board Friends Board Board Member/Library Advisory Board/Friends Board Foundation Executive Director Foundation Mayor City Commissioner Assistant City Manager/Economic Development ,Library Director Central Permitting Architect, Park Gowan Architect, Park Gowan St. Petersburg Times Reporter USF Architectural Student Board Reporter Friends Board City Commissioner City Commissioner Clearwater Chamber of Commerce City Commissioner The meeting was called to order by Chair Bacon at 11: 10 a.m. in the first floor Adler Room, Main Library, Clearwater. In order to provide continuity for research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in thot order. 1 . Welcome Chair Bacon welcomed everyone to the meeting. I 2. Approval of Minutes - April 29. 1997 Chair Bacon suggested the minutes reflect that City Commissioner Karen Seel was not in attendance at the April meeting. No other changes were suggested, and Chair Bacon stated the minutes would stand approved as submitted in writing to each member. ,0 mTF0597 05/16/97 .;'~:,",'" ': ',. '..': ,,:,:' ,', ,,','~ ,,' ,', ,.:,:' " >"'" ",~ ',' ":, , ',>, '. ".' ...',' "", ,\' ",,: '," '" ,\,,' "," ," ,- '" ,,' ;", " ",', ':" ':r1' " 'E-' 'LJ'- '" ", ',', '\' , , ' , '. I' , . I . . ' . , . . ~ 'I . . . , ' ~ . I . 1" -- 3. Presentation of a Main librarv Desion for the Bluff location by Meyer Weitzman. University of South Florida Architectural Student f';;'::"" ':!.1,"? Dr. Hallam introduced Meyer Weitzman, University of South Florida Architectural Student. Dr. Hallam noted that Mr. Weitzman's intention was not to suggest to the City where to place a new library, but to look at new ways to design public libraries, specifically how public libraries can re-invigorate a downtown area. Mr. Weitzman presented his rendition of connecting the Main Library to the Harborview Center and utilizing the waterfront. He noted his choice had been selected prior to the meetings being held throughout the City, and prior to the demolition of the East End property at Missouri and Cleveland Avenue. Project costs are unknown. He noted the bluff site is one of the most unique sites on the west coast of Florida. He referred to various maps and models, explaining how each one fit into his thesis. A "courtyard path walk" using laurel Street as the connector between the bluff site and Ft. Harrison Avenue was explained. Some issues considered for the thesis included the library as: 1} having a sense of "place"; 2) providing integration of many different types of services to the public; and 3) a catalyst for urban development and redevelopment. Mr. Weitzman stated he considered other issues such as soli quality, traffic flow, accessibility, and pedestrian movement. He viewed the Main Library as a destination, an icon, and a , hub for local and neighborhood activity. There was potential for the proposed facility to connect to the Plnellas Trail and the waterfront. He suggested a marina would fit into the overall plan. Expansion of Coachman Park to allow for additional public events was also incorporated into the plan. He suggested establishment of a wing of retail shops, an outdoor green space, a staff lounge, a major amphitheater, cafes and restaurants, a technology center, an auditorium, and a 50 to 60 space parking garage to accommodate all downtown activities and businesses. Mr. Weitzman developed a total of 4 levels to incorporate all the suggested activities, and approximately 100,000 square feet of library space. He explained different zones for various activities in the library. There would be ramps connecting each level, a major entry tower on the south side, and a panoramic view. The Garden level would incorporate lots of windows on the north side with a Children's Library and space for loading and unloading of passengers. It was remarked that many aspects of Mr. Weitzman's plan would be valuable in the construction of a new Main Library should a site other than his choice be selected. The meeting adjourned for lunch at 12:07 p.m. and reconvened at 12:25 p.m. 4. Alternate Sites (information mailed to Membersl o Chair Bacon noted that at the last Task Force meeting, several sites were discussed and 3 sites had been selected as final choices for the Clearwater Main Library. It was noted that the other sites were discounted due to space limitations and cost considerations. Discussion ensued regarding square footage requirements and whether or not private properties should be purchased for a new library when City-owned sites were available. The effect on the City's tax base was also mentioned. Member Dutton moved to reject the old Clearwater Junior High School property, and retain the Bluff and the East End properties as possible sites for the mTF0597 2 05/16/97 .' , .'. \' 'I '< ,". ~... ......... '.. .,..._~ ~ ~. of...._ ..... .... .'~' .... ' , '. '.! '. I . . . ~ '. ~ ' " ... . ~ new Main Clearwater Library. The motion was duly seconded and carried ", unanimously. Discussion ensued regarding the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative staff sharing space with the new Main Library. It was noted selection of a site for the Main Library must be determined prior to presenting any offers to the Cooperative. Jt was noted that this Wednesday the Cooperative will begin discussions with other cities regarding a facility for their operation. It was recommended that the City of Clearwater approach the Library Cooperative as soon as possible to assist them in obtaining short term renta:' space, and consider presenting them with an offer of "tenancy" in the new Main Library building. It was also suggested that the Cooperative could build a facility adjacent the New Main Library building. A remark was made that the major drawback of the bluff site is expansion capabilities. It was noted that if the Harborview Center continues to function as a convention center, parking availability issues will further diminish the viability of the bluff site for a Main Library. It was expressed that the bluff site is already a magnet to attract people to the downtown area. Having another magnet, such as a Main Clearwater Library in conjunction with other entities, on the East End property would pull the City together. 5. Discussion of Planninq Imoact of Potential Librarv Sites: Sandv Glattho'O 1M', ' ^~!'(.. Ms. Glatthorn responded to questions about sites as they came up in the meeting. 6. Selection of Sites for Architects' Discussion on Mav 27, 1997 Dr. Hallam distributed copies of a Focus Group Results Survey from 1996 related to the Main Library Building Program. The Survey was for information purposes to be reviewed at Task Force Members' leisure. Attendees were asked to RSVP to Susan Hackett regarding their attendance at the next Site Selection Meeting at the Harborview Center. Those individuals who are not Site Selection Board Members are welcome to attend the meeting at a cost of $10 for lunch. Architects will present information based on previously built libraries and site selection criteria, traffic patterns, landscaping and engineering considerations. Dr. Hallam noted that City staff will remove themselves as voting members of the Clearwater Main Library Site Selection Task Force. Due to the Sunshine Law, this move is necessary in order for City staff to discuss site selection issues with one another or with Task Force Members. Commissioner Clark requested that he be removed from the Task Force until the point that the property directly across from his business is rejected. Should that property be accepted, he has requested not to serve on the Task Force since he feels it would be a conflict of interest. \~ mTF0597 3 05/16/97 ~"~i;_.....~---- ~.... . ~..~ ~.. ".~"~'"''';''~''' , ; l ~.,. . c ~. .~, '." ..' I; ,v,' ~ . . ')'''''~'~~,:(".~.r'''..:t..t~,''';~t. :.......li~.~~, ,.' ..... I. 'l~. ,'._~.I~,",l-" :. ,,".-,,",.:. ',', ,',: ':"':~'"::':,/""'"";"",.""",.',,,,,,..,,:.,':7 '.' '.:',"..:'..'"." ',' '"",;-;,,>: ,",."":'.,,.. ;"'i,::,,:',>,",' ,.", , ' _, ,", ' ,",' " ' ',' ' ,I '~I' l' ( . ,&:.-:. '," .', "", ,,"', '" "" , ", '"" ,'."..'] "' _' :'," C"" :1",'" """. " ~. . . I ".' I' .." '_"~ ..... _"~ ~ ..........:n~_' '. .; ", "J ,l 'l' -1" ~ I:. ~ . .'. . \' . J ' 'I, I ~', jl \. r-' '" >' ., '" , ,': ,::;::~,:~':~i~.'\',>:;, 'I:,>'" '~I ,":" . . , . . ~~ '<.".' I . ~ ~ " ' ~ Chair Bacon emphasized that at the May 29, 1997 Site Selection Task Force meeting, the Task Force wit! recommend to the City Commission the site which will best serve Clearwater's future'. Executive Director of the Library Foundation, Julie Lewis, explained the importance of the City Commission selecting a site for the library. Fund-raising efforts can begin once a site has been determined, and plans can be implemented to expedite'selection of an architect. Time is of the essence to positively affect public opinion and support. Ms. Lewis announced that the Library Foundation is committed to raising $3 million for the new Main Library. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 1 :25 p.m. The next Task Force meeting is scheduled for May 27, 1997 at the Harborview Center, Clearwater Room. RSVPs are required. Please contact Susan Hackett at 462-6800, extension 228. o ('/4( j-h, LrfA-ru Ci.. lklr Clearwater Main Library Site Selection Task Force Attest: ~cb Jf)(fJUJ Board Reporter o rnTF0597 4 05/16/97 "" '---,~,"~' -., ;" ",.,,,, 1~:"':,J.,~~\i,,~,~,~;~:t('N~\/. j:; ;;k,<~,',::,,- ,). ; :J;; ~,,:;J.;;;; ;,::~;~~~:.\i' :i'1.:':':'/; ;:'~:yi;~~ "~'~;(;":,~; ~,::,;; ;;'.; ':;, :< I <"J ,).'"},, . .i j ,"~:;-:/ i:~~'~;:;\~i~;:jl~;\~:;',,;i:~<';::