It's been almost two years since Webber Park Library was returned to our community for a ransom of one year's service and a consolidation of the Minneapolis and Hennepin County library systems. The reopening was bitter sweet. We had our library back, but our library days were cut to just three per week and we had to relinquish our Minneapolis Public Library ancestry, as we were taking on a new image as a Hennepin County Library. It was uncharted territory, but it came with carrots. The consolidation secured assurances that planned renovations would move forward and that neighborhood libraries would retain their names, thus protecting the legacy recognition of the Charles and Mary Webber gift.
In the case of Webber Park Library, the county went beyond the expectation of renovations and in their 2008 budget added Amendment No. 3, which stated that "in the case of the Webber Park Library it may be more cost effective to relocate the library to a location out of the park and allow for redevelopment of the park as a part of the Victory Memorial Drive Community Works project." The amendment resolved that "contingent upon approval of the Library merger, the 2008-2012 capital improvement program be amended to include a New North Minneapolis Library to replace the Webber Park Library with an estimated cost of $15.0 million, funded by County Library bonds with $7.5 million being programmed in 2010 and an additional $7.5 in 2011;." *Any referendum funding provided from City of Minneapolis bonds would be applied toward the budget and reduce the county's commitment. The resolution passed, and at the festive reopening event on January 12, 2008 Hennepin County Commissioners Mike Opat and Mark Stenglein unveiled the preliminary plans for the new library, promising community input into a planning process for a new library building that will be "designed to be flexible and open, and will meet the needs of the community," with more than double the current size.
The county has been swift to move forward with the new library. A site search resulted in selecting the properties that abut 44th Ave. to the south, Humboldt to the west, and 45th Ave. to the north. This selection honors the request of Mary and Charles Webber, original donors of Webber Park Library, to build any future replacement library within six blocks of the original Webber Library. In December 2008 the county purchased the old Kowalski's property at 4414 Humboldt, followed by the purchases of 1411 - 45th Ave. in March, 2009 and 1413 - 45th Ave. in August, 2009.
The remaining property, 1423 - 45th Ave. was not for sale and a referendum to rescind the previously authorized eminent domain acquisition of the property passed unanimously by commissioners at the August 4 Hennepin County Commissioners meeting. Stenglein concurred that it was best not to pursue eminent domain, but noted that the county could still negotiate a sale. Opat noted that the property had been for sale prior to the consolidation, but that it would not be in the county's best interest to pursue condemnation. He said that this will "push the pause button" on the much needed new library. County Commissioner Jan Callison, author of the resolution, remarked that the resolution does not restrict staff from pursuing the project, "possibly on one of the other parcels that the county already owns, so that it is possible that is could happen in another way." Opat stated that he was the person who initiated the replacement library, but that he felt it was not a good use of county staff time to "beat the bushes to find a new site," and "it doesn't make sense to put it anywhere else on that parcel."
The county has also moved forward with the design for the new library. KKE Architects, Inc. was selected to design a new library that would "serve as a welcoming community gathering place for people of all ages and walks of life, and a point of access to the world's information, culture and books." They created numerous schematic designs, utilizing sustainable features, with flexible interior space to meet programming and community needs. The county's favored design faces the parkway, eliminating the cul-du-sac at 45th and creating more green space. Another design faces 44th Ave. and another sits on the site of the old Kowalski's grocery store.
On October 12 and 13 the County held two open houses, inviting the community to learn more about the new Webber Library, along with three other county initiatives. Most of the people in attendance came to learn about and have input into the new library, but were disappointed when Opat and Stenglein opened the meeting by stating that the plans are on hold indefinitely, due to the inability to acquire the corner property at Humboldt and 45th. In concert, Opat and Stenglein stated that the only design that they would move forward with, is the library design that faces the parkway. They stated that it is the best design, that it is the location that they had always planned on and they were not going to settle for second best, remarking that we have done that too often in this community. They noted that the design would have good access to the parkway and to the Kingsley Commons. The commissioners also stated that they were concerned about contamination that would have to be cleaned up, and wanted to make sure that the entire site was taken care of before proceeding with construction. The owners of the property at 1423 - 45th said that they discovered on the Internet that their property was slated for condemnation, and stated the library could be built around their property, arguing that a library on 44th Avenue would be more accessible to Henry High School students and a south facing library would have a lower carbon footprint.
"We're at an impasse; on hold as properties sort themselves out," said Opat. A line has been drawn in the sand.
In the meantime, Webber Park Library will remain open three days a week. Hours will not be taken away, and on the second night of meetings Opat conceded the slightest possibility that more hours could be added to the current Webber Park Library. The second night of meetings seemed more hopeful in other ways as well. The discussion was less tense and people were listening to each other, even if there was not agreement as to a way around the impasse. Resolve has a way of finding a solution, and time and wind are more powerful than lines drawn in the sand. Let's hope it doesn't take much time. Stay involved. Contact Mike Opat at Mike.Opat@co.hennepin.mn.us and Mark Stenglein at Mark.Stenglein@co.hennepin.mn.us and let them know you want a solution.
*A budget of $2,095,000 was identified to remodel the Webber Park Library with funding provided from the City of Minneapolis bond proceeds per the 2000 Library referendum. The County 2009 Capital Budget reflects this allocation change, with the remaining $12,904,335 funded by County Library bonds.