10/16/2002 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• ? , t .' partial section of the site wall that runs around the enclosure up to the front of the library. It does not show the grade changes. He showed the board the signage they are looking at. It is a stone panel or pre- cast panel to look like stone with raised lettering on the face. It will mimic the look of the library. The gazebo is steel with a metal roof. When they first proposed a gazebo, it was on a platform with low railings. There were concerns about safety so they eliminated a couple of things and came up with an alternate on the project. The last set of elevations show the brick site walls in front of the building. He pointed out the site wall by the children's area and said it is taller. Mayor Musial asked if Mr. Hunsicker would like to discuss the potential of the gazebo as an alternate. Mr. Yager asked why the gazebo is an alternate. Mr. Hunsicker replied it is a cost control issue. Mrs. Creadon pointed out it was a concern to the Landmarks Commission as far as fitting the era. She added there were safety concerns raised as well. Mr. Yager said there are communities with gazebos that are not afraid of the safety issues. W. Hunsicker mentioned there is a gazebo at North Olmsted Park. Mr. Yager said a gazebo is a great public speaking area, good for weddings and such. He added that being up on a podium where you can speak to people is a big benefit. He is not sure the gazebo they designed will get much use because they are not putting it up on a podium. He hears so much about liability but half of liability is perceived. Mr. Hunsicker said if the gazebo isn't built, a planter will be in the middle with the potential of placing a piece of artwork there. Mayor Musial said the gazebo rendition currently does not go with the library style. Mr. Yager agreed and said it does not match the character of the library at all. He can understand Landmarks concerns relative to that. He said if they had different columns and the same roof, it would be better. The columns now are stark and industrial looking. Mr. Hunsicker said when you add railings, it adds a lot. W. Yager said if they are going to do a gazebo, put it on a platform so it will be used, because it may not get used without it. It would just be a shelter for staying out of the sun without a platform, instead of public forum centerpiece. There is a lot of green space around there and you can get a lot of people gathered in that area. If this truly develops into a community center the way it should, that is going to be a significant feature. He personally would rather put every dollar they can into the library and do the gazebo at a future date rather than risk weakening some of the library because they can always add a gazebo. You cannot always add some of those features back into the library. He mentioned he went to a Landmarks meeting, along with Mrs. Nader, at the Mayor's request. He said he and Ms. Schulz went to the Planning Commission. He said their attempt aesthetically is to make the building look old. Their brick choice has cost implications but whatever it takes to make the building look old will make an enormous difference. They don't want a wire cut brick on a building they are trying to make look old. He said this reminds him a lot of Independence City Hall and Orange City Hall. They have some brick pilasters at the edge. There is a bit more detail at the edges and the designers might want to consider that. He thinks aesthetically the look is fine and representative of a city center. It has a look a lot of people can't wait to see. He said they have done justice to the rendering that got the bond issue passed and that is credible. He would ask how does the building say it was built now as opposed to in the 1800's. He was hoping it would be more of a learning experience for people going into the building. It is not developed that way but he is ok with that. They also asked about the retention, which has now been addressed. They had asked about buses and whether or not they will be parked on the site, and if so, where. Hopefully, they are out of the way and it is pre-planned. He pointed out they screened the children's area which the board was looking for. He was hoping for more windows, larger windows. He does not believe they have done that but their proportions are their proportions. Mr. Yager said with regard to the materials, talking about being more about today's technologies, Mr. Hunsicker spoke of the geothermal system as a way of doing that. Mr. Yager said how they describe that since it is all underground is a mystery to him. The nature center in Bay Village has talked a bit about how geothermal works. His question was how do you address the next addition to the library. He said you probably don't. If you had to grow the library, where would it grow, and have you pre-planned for that. Those were his lists of questions. He said the design is consistent. Mr. Zergott said it all fits and Mrs. Nader concurred. Mr. Zergott said they put together a list of concerns and it has been addressed. He thought they would do a better job on the detention. That is what could set the whole site apart from what the front of city hall looks like. Mr. Yager told Mr. Hunsicker he would not worry about 13