Walker Library design process update
Community, Featured — By Thatcher Imboden on November 18, 2010 11:45 pm
The existing Walker Library in Uptown is planned to be replaced in 2012-2013
Tonight, the Walker Community Advisory Committee had a Pre-Design Meeting where the project team, consisting of Hennepin County staff and Vincent James Associates Architects (VJAA), met with the community and the Committee members to discuss VJAA’s background, the components of the pre-design process, project schedule, and additional comments on the committee’s vision statement (pdf).
The proposed $12 million library is projected to move from into schematic design (concept development) phase in February 2011 with the community getting a glimpse of the concepts sometime that month. The Hennepin County Board will weigh in on the plans a couple of times through the design process, with fully complete plans expected by the end of 2011.
Construction is anticipated to start in spring 2012 and be fully complete in early summer 2013, with occupancy expected in August 2013. Hennepin County staff stated that the construction phase may be quicker than represented thus far once plans are more developed. During construction, it is likely that the Walker Library will be closed and that nearby libraries will see increased hours to better accommodate the community. When asked about why the schedule seemed so long, Hennepin County stated that it was “not a long schedule” given the process of engaging the community more than some of the other library projects the County has done.
The design is expected to result in a single story, single-use building (perhaps with a mezzanine or second floor). While parking seems to be a concern, what sounds clear is that some parking will be provided for staff, those in need of handicapped parking stalls, and potentially some additional stalls for guests. VJAA representatives stated that everything was on the table and that they are meeting with consultants on traffic planning, structural conditions of the existing building, etc. The existing parking deck is not compliant with today’s codes, though it doesn’t pose a safety hazard currently. It is unknown if the existing foundation or walls are able to be reused for the future building.
VJAA said they believe they have a “mandate” to better integrate the library to the sidewalk, as the current library is underground and many have complained about the detachment of the library from its surroundings. One attendee reminded VJAA that there has been a desire by some to better integrate the library with the Midtown Greenway to promote and support alternative transportation.
For more information on the project, please visit the Walker Community Advisory Committee website.
Thatcher Imboden
How cities work and change, how they are the product of their inhabitants and outside forces, and the resulting livability keep me thinking and dreaming about the future. I work in urban real estate development, am Past President of an Uptown business organization, grew up in Uptown, was on an Uptown neighborhood association Board, and am an Uptown and Lyn-Lake historian.
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2 Comments
“Single story” doesn’t sound promising.
My dream vision is still that they will incorporate some sort of outdoor play space for kids; we had a mini playground outside our local library in San Francisco, and it was wonderful. Kids could run around before and after entering the library, there were benches for people (parents and otherwise) to sit and read, and it was a wonderful community gathering place. It certainly helped to make the library a daily destination for many neighborhood families. If they can squeeze one into a tight San Francisco lot, then they can fit one into the Walker space. Then again, in SF they didn’t care about parking. I’d happily give up all but the handicapped parking if it means more space for the library, or additional features like a playground, outdoor seating for reading, or other perks. After all, parking is available elsewhere in the neighborhood.
I’m glad to hear that there are still hopes to integrate the library with both sidewalk and Greenway. The site has a great deal of potential, so I hope the opportunity to do something truly innovative is not wasted.
Are there plans to bring a bookmobile to Uptown during the construction process? Even a couple of half-days each week would be helpful, especially for those of us who don’t drive. I also hope that there will be alternative plans made for story times and other children’s activities; perhaps they could be hosted somewhere like Calhoun Square while the library is closed?
Just another thought about parking: is dedicated staff parking really necessary? What’s the policy at the downtown library, or other libraries in areas with paid, or limited, parking options? I can understand why library staff would LIKE parking, but is it necessary? Or, if it deemed important, perhaps just rent out some staff spots at nearby lots and use would-be parking spots for something else? And I have no idea about the benefits packages for HCL employees, but if they’re Hennepin County employees I believe they have access to quite generous transportation programs; given both the Walker’s proximity to parking lots, public transportation, and bike routes, it seems unnecessary to set aside many staff parking spots. I suppose “staff spots” could also refer to space for whatever vehicles have to come and go during the day on official business, which would be a different story.