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Home My WebLink About Mayor's message and library matrix April 2013City of Port Townsend From Mayor David King - IT’S TIME TO DECIDE ABOUT THE LIBRARY – April 8 Open House on Library Options In my boatbuilding and repair business a boat “refit” project is not the same as a repair. A major refit will include improvements like hull extensions, new engines, and interior remodeling as well as repair of existing systems and structure. The City Library and Carnegie “campus” are undergoing a major refit. The repair com- ponents of the refit include the seismic retrofit of the original Carnegie building and replacement of the retaining walls and fractured concrete stairways. The planned improvements include resto- ration of the Pink House, recently completed, and as originally envisioned and planned over the last several years the replacement of the current single-story extension with a new two-story plus basement addition. Design and approval of the new addition (called “Phase 5” of the project) was the result of an ex- tended public process that included evaluation of the current uses of the Library, the constraints imposed on those uses by the current facility, and a projection of the growth of those uses over time to arrive at a library campus suitable for the community’s “Next Hundred Years.” The expanded library facility did not envision uses other than those for which the community had already demonstrated an appetite by making our Library one of the busiest in the state. But en- thusiastic support for the library, plus an optimistic plan for funding, resulted in an ideal design largely uncompromised by constraints other than the size of the site. The plan to pay for it reflected that idealism. Of the $7.75 million cost of the expansion and repair of the failing walkways and retaining walls, $4 -5 million were to be raised by the City and the Li- brary Foundation working together to secure grants and private donations. The up to $3 million remaining was to be provided through a Council-approved or a voter-approved bond and only after at least 80% of the rest of the funding was secured. But it was not to be. To date the Foundation has raised about $1.2 million towards Phase 5 from a combination of private donations and grants and a portion of that requires matching funds. The City has provided $450 thousand from councilmanic bond funds for the design of expansion pro- ject. There are still repair components of the refit that need to be funded so there is no option that will not require further investment of public funds in the property. Completion of the library “refit” project that includes significant improvements beyond the renovation of the Pink House and seis- mic retrofit of the Carnegie building will require a voted bond. But at a minimum we are faced with some level of expense to get our Library back into the Carnegie Campus and operational. Absent some level of bond support these expenses would result in a library functioning at a re- duced level of service and capacity. A Council-approved bond (paid for out of existing revenues) is not practical now because City finances to repay a bond are limited and the additional bond debt might exceed our statutory limit in the event of devaluation of the City’s assessed value. A voter-approved bond is the only option at this point. Council could place a bond measure equal to the majority of the original project cost before the voters but has determined that public consideration of an array of options and their impact on the services we want from our library should precede a thumbs up or down ballot measure based solely on cost. On March 18, after working with the Library Foundation for several weeks, Council adopted a process to “re-set” the library expansion project given these changed circumstances. On April 8, there will be an open house at the Carnegie Library for the public to review and provide comment on Library options. HPDLOFLW\FRXQFLO#FLW\RISWXVZZZFLW\RISWXV$SULO For the town meeting the City has prepared five alternatives ranging from limited improve- ments to the Carnegie building only, to the full two-story and basement implementation of Phase 5. General cost and capacity information is included with each scenario. These docu- ments are available in hard copy at City Hall and at the Library or online at the City’s website or here [link] if you’re reading this online. Please review the options presented in these docu- ments and come to the meeting on the 8th to give us your thoughts. If you cannot attend the meeting on the 8th please mail us your comments (write “Library Project” on the envelope) or drop them by the Library or City Hall. Council plans to take action on April 29 that would des- ignate the preferred alternative and amount of voter-approved bond. By approving a voted bond we would guarantee payment through our property taxes. This does not necessarily mean that the bond has to be paid by property taxes. The City could apply other funds to the bond including monies raised by the continuing efforts of the City and the Library Foundation. The bond costs cannot be precisely known until they are sold but assuming property tax covered the entire debt-service the estimated 20-year annual cost on the property tax bill of a house with a $300,000 assessed value would be: Everyone loves the library. Even critics of the current expansion plan preface their criticism with affection for the institution. If we had raised the $4 - 5 million from other sources as origi- nally planned I’d be a vocal supporter of bonding for the balance of the expansion as we’d planned to do in 2010. But the changed circumstances for funding the project warrant review of the project by those who will have to pay for it. We can have the library expansion as de- signed if we are willing as taxpayers to bear the cost. Or we can revise the scope of the pro- ject and have a more modest result at a lower cost. Council has the responsibility for what- ever measure is placed before the voters and has instituted this process to help craft a measure that will be broadly supported. Voters will retain the final say. Bond Amount Annual Property Tax for $300,000 Home 6,000,000$ $113.40 5,000,000$ $94.50 4,000,000$ $75.60 3,000,000$ $56.70 2,000,000$ $37.80 Bond Amount Annual Property Tax for $300,000 Home 6,000,000$ $113.40 5,000,000$ $94.50 4,000,000$ $75.60 3,000,000$ $56.70 2,000,000$ $37.80 PORT TOWNSEND PUBLIC LIBRARY EXPANSION ALTERNATIVES (Note: These alternatives are conceptual in nature and not intended to reflect a specific design.) Current Carnegie and 1990 Addition Library Space Alternative #1 Alternative #2 Alternative #3 Alternative #4 Alternative #5 Alternative #6 Public Space Entry & Display Areas (80 Adult Collections (2265 SF) Adult Reading Areas (500SF) Study Room (400 SF) Computers (140SF) Children's Area (1265 SF) Young Adult Area (50 SF) Staff & Support Services Mechanical Spaces Storage Toilets Building Circulation Building Construction Total 4700 SF 1095 SF 110 SF 90 SF 275 SF 390 SF 1630 SF 8290 SF ? Funding Available The following funding is available for Library construction (subject to Library Foundation approval and meeting NEH grant conditions): Heritage Capital Project Fund $0.1 M NEH Grant $0.5 M Philanthropic Gifts and Pledges $0.7 M Total: $1.3 M Description: The library moves back into the current building as-is. The only work scope includes setting up shelving and furniture for occupancy. Optional construction: Paint, re-carpet, and minimal operational modifications (counters, work spaces, etc.) Description: Construction scope includes functional upgrades such as elevator replacement, mechanical equipment replacement, south site restoration & parking lot improvements. Description: Construction scope includes a 2,000 SF, one story addition to the existing footprint and functional upgrades such as elevator replacement, mechanical equipment replacement, south site restoration and parking lot improvements. This alternative will provide additional space for collections. Description: Construction scope includes a 9,200 SF, two story addition to the existing Carnegie, Carnegie library restoration, new mechanical systems, south site restoration & parking lot improvements. The alternative will provide additional space for collections & will provide the necessary infrastructure to build an additional 5,600 SF, two story addition in the future. Description: Construction scope includes a 14,700 SF, two story + basement addition to the existing Carnegie, Carnegie library restoration, new mechanical systems, south site restoration and parking lot improvements. The alternative meets current & near-future space needs, & maintains the size of both existing parking lots. Library Building Size: 8,290 SF Library Building Size: 8,290 SF Library Building Size: 10,290 SF Library Building Size: 13,960 SF Library Building Size: 19,372 SF Construction Cost: $20K - $180K Other Costs: Total Cost: $20K - $180K Construction Cost: $1.3 - $1.5 million Other Costs: $750K Total Cost: $2.0 – $2.2 million Construction Cost:$1.8 –$2.0 million Other Costs: $1 million Total Cost: $2.8 – $3.0 million Construction Cost:$3.5-$3.75 million Other Costs: $2 million Total Cost: $5.5 - $5.7 million Construction Cost:$5.0-$5.25 million Other Costs: $2.5 million Total Cost: $7.5 – $7.75 million Bond Costs The bond costs cannot be precisely known until they are sold but assuming property tax covered the entire debt-service the estimated 20-year annual cost on the property tax bill of a house with a $300,000 assessed value would be: Bond Amount Annual Property Tax for $300,000 Home 6,000,000$ $113.40 5,000,000$ $94.50 4,000,000$ $75.60 3,000,000$ $56.70 2,000,000$ $37.80 Library Construction to Date Pink House Restoration (2011) - $134K PT Library Foundation - $134K Carnegie Seismic Retrofit (2012) - $611K FEMA - $448K; City Bond - $163K Carnegie Building Repairs (2012) - $215K WA State Heritage Capital Grant - $215K Library Design Process (2006-11) - $446K City Bond - $446K Issues:x No expansion. x Shortest Timeline x Least expensive option x Reduced collection space due to limitations in Carnegie results in 2/3 of collection in storage Interior of Carnegie not fully restored x Operational “friction” between different users sharing common spaces (reading / computer / kids / adults) x Not a true no cost option x Building systems will still need to be upgraded (HVAC, restroom, etc.)x Space and operation issues that faced library still present x Doesn’t address library growth Issues:x No expansion x Outdoor site and parking improvements x Existing building systems upgraded (HVAC, restrooms, elevator) x Least expensive operating costs x Reduced collection space due to limitations in Carnegie results in 2/3 collection in storage Interior of Carnegie not fully restoredx Operational “friction” between different users sharing common spaces (reading / computer / kids / adults) x Space and operation issues that faced library still present x Doesn’t address library growth Issues:x Provides more space (2000sq.ft.) x Need to functionally reprogram library uses (may not be operationally efficient or user friendly) x 1/3 of adult and 1/3 of children’s collections in storage x Keeps existing addition x Building system upgraded and/or replaced (more comprehensive than Alt. #2) x Does not lend itself to future expansion (building systems & space configuration) x Increased operating cost x Meets some of original project goals – no distinct young adult space; children’s area limited x Carnegie interior not fully restored (elevator and restrooms remain) Issues:x Provides 2/3 increase in library space, (completes children’s area) x Supported by Foundation x Increase operating cost x Would be more operationally efficient and user friendly; Reduces operational friction between uses x Cost - even with the NEH Grant and other funds raised, the community would pay the majority of project costs x Meets many of original project goals x Interior restoration of Carnegie x Lends itself to future x Building systems upgraded and/or replaced (more comprehensive then Alt. #3) x Requires supplemental funding from other sources Issues:x Provides 1&1/3 increase library space - distinct areas for children, young adults, adults x Supported by Foundation x Meets all original Library project goals x Likely last major expansion at this site x Cost – even with the NEH Grant and other funds raised the community would pay a significant majority of the project costs x Would be most operationally efficient – would have storage space on-site x Most potential effect on neighborhood (scale, off-site impacts) x Can accommodate both current and future collections. x Requires supplemental funding from other sources Description: Is there another alternative that we should consider? Use this space or separate sheet to tell us about it. Original Library Expansion Project Goals The Library Expansion project will: x Improve library service by providing new dedicated spaces for library activities such as reading areas, reference assistance, and program spacesx Improve library service by providing new dedicated spaces for library collections x Improve library service by providing functional and efficient staff spaces x Bring the library structures into conformance with current building and life safety codes and accessibility requirements x Restore the existing Carnegie library to create a beautiful new reading room Other Costs Other costs include the following: architect/engineering; FFE (furnishings, fixtures, & equipment); sales tax; project management; admin overhead; building permits; construction tech support; project contingency. 31 March 2013