06/17/2002 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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all this up and it will be much cheaper now since it is in the planning phase. Mr. Dubowski indicated this was the first he had heard about a 6000-foot reduction in floor space that is now designated for future expansion. He asked what prompted that reduction. Mr. Miller replied that most things like that relate to money. However, if you consider other things like arboretums, and if you take advantage of existing trees, they asked for an estimate on the cost of the gazebo and on the low end he believes it was 12 or 20, up to $65,000. If you start eliminating some things that, in his opinion, are vital to the library, they can be added on down the line just like that structure. But it would be a lot cheaper to add a gazebo and soine additional landscaping later than it would be to add a structure. He indicated he is speaking for himself and not the committee. He said when he voted for it, in his mind, he wanted more bricks and mortar. He likes the idea of marking the trees and letting people know what varieties they have. He said why add unnecessary expenses when they have the most basic right there. Mrs. 0'Rourke pointed out there was a Boy Scout Troop that marked trees at Special Horizon with plaques and it was their project and cost nothing. Mrs. Lord asked if Mr. Miller had seen a drawing with the 6000 ft. in the plan. He indicated he had not seen such a plan. He said as he recalls for the actual vote that generates the funds for the library, there was an artist's rendering that was a front view. He said the front has a grand entrance, that you can't get in. He said when they asked about lighting, and suggested more natural lighting, they were told if they take up window space then it would take up bookshelf space. That makes sense but once you start movina walls back and forth across the front of the building, aren't you then creating more obstacles. There are expenses that can make the building a very pleasing one to the community but it doesn't have to be as grand. He said maybe funds can be put more into bricks and mortar. He doesn't want a plain, brick, flat warehouse facing Lorain. He said they need to be practical and building a grand entrance on the front that cannot be used except for emergency purposes does not make sense. He said he is just throwing out ideas. He suggested even turning the building so that people that need to use the bus line, particularly seniors, to access the building, would not have to get off the bus on Lorain Rd. and go all the way down and around to get in. Mr. Miller again stressed getting the board's input to Council. He mentioned the drive-up service that was suggested and said from a family perspective, it may be a good idea and can be considered. The architect indicated that with the plans as laid out, the potential to cut a window in at the book drop area is a possibility. He said if they start talking about it now, maybe it can be a reality. He pointed out it would be on the east side of the building which is out of view. Mr. Lang asked, since Mr. Miller is on the Long-Term Planning Committee, if there is anything Landmarks should know about the entire triangle that they would need to take into account in their preparation and planning for what they might recommend for the green space and/or the library and the entire parcel. Mr. Miller said that Council has not committed to various people's, including the current adininistration's, concept of the "golden triangle." They have not committed to purchasing all that land and he does not know if there is a 6-year or 60 year plan or something in between. He said Council did downsize the original plans for the purchase of property. They did not purchase the lot iminediately west of the property they have now. Mrs. O'Rourke inquired about plans for the old library. Mr. Miller indicated he is not aware of any plans right now. He said there was talk of using it as a tech center, or for the Cultural Activities Commission, or for the Law Department. There are a variety of potential uses. The board thanked Mr. Miller for his comments. Mr. O'Malley pointed out the saine letter went to the Planning Commission as well, and they resolved to correspond with Spice Constantino to deliver a copy of the Planning Commission minutes. They did not make specific recommendations but referred the architect to a copy of the minutes. It also invited the architects to return to the Planning Commission with any changes that they propose. Mr. Barker said they have been told the historic district only goes back 500 feet from the centerline of Butternut. He said with what Mr. Corell had said, and with the city acquiring property from Butternut to Lorain and it becoming one parcel, he asked for Mr. O'Malley's opinion on what the district is. Mr. O'Malley said he tends to agree with his analysis but for a very specific limitation in the charter or ordinance that restricts them to that 500-foot setback. He said if there is nothing in the 5