06/08/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e spaces and on an expanded surface lot across Olive Street. The property for expanding surface parking across Olive Street would have to be acquired. In response to a question, Carol Hildebrand, Library staff, said that removing the asbestos from the existing library would cost about $1.2 million. Mayor Obie and several other councilors expressed opposition to the idea of phasing construction. They did, however, raise the possibility of phasing occupancy. For example, part of the 100,000-square-foot building could be leased to other tenants until the library needs additional space. Or, the shell for the entire building could be constructed and about 75,000 square feet of the interior could be finished; the remaining interior could be finished when the additional space is needed. Mr. Miller said he liked the idea of a library being developed on the half-block on 8th between Willamette and Olive. He expressed opposition to developing a library on the Broadway/Charnelton site, saying that this would not be consistent with good downtown management and development. He also asked that information be provided on the possibility of using the Bon building for a library. Ms. Schue said councilors should keep in mind the City's efforts to recruit private developers for the 8th andlWillamette site. She also expressed opposition to developing a library on the half-block on 8th between Olive and Charnelton. e Ms. Bascom recommended against trying to develop a new library on the existing library site. She said the new library should be part of a vital downtown and, therefore, needs to be closer to the core. Ms. Ehrman said she was still willing to consider all three sites. She expressed doubts about the feasibility of using the Bon building for a library. She also said the idea of pedestrian skybridges for the library, and for downtown in general, is intriguing. Mr. Bennett said he was concerned about the cost of a new library and was, therefore, not willing to abandon the possibility of using an existing building for the library. He said that if a new building is built, he probably would favor the 8th and Willamette half-block, because this site would take advantage of existing parking facilities. Mr. Rutan mentioned two ways to reduce the cost of developing a new library: (1) use existing parking facilities, and (2) find other parties to help bear the construction costs (i .e., build a library as part of a mixed-use development). He said the 8th 3nd Willamette site has both of these in its favor. The council directed staff to provide cost estimates for all of the potential library sites: existing, 8th and Willamette, Broadway/Charnelton, and the Bon building. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 8, 1988 Page 4