Library vote dissected
A wrap up of election results shows the Lawrence Public Library bond issue found good support in all areas of town, but opposition was more likely on the west side of the city. A total of 13 of the 49 Lawrence precincts voted against the library proposal, but none had negative votes that registered 60 percent or more. That was in contrast to 10 precincts that supported the library to the tune of 70 percent or more.
For more stats on the library vote, read Wednesday's Town Talk post.
Now that the one detail of $18 million is out of the way, leaders of the Lawrence Public Library are excited to be moving on to more specifics about the planned expansion of the facility.
“We’re working to coordinate everything,” library director Bruce Flanders said Wednesday, one day after voters approved the project. “But I’ve never been through one of these bond issues before. It has been 38 years since we’ve built a library in Lawrence.”
The biggest detail in the mind of Flanders is when to string the ribbon to be cut.
“I know that is what we all want to know,” Flanders said. “I think we’re probably looking at late 2012 or early 2013.”
There will be several smaller steps in the coming weeks.
City Manager David Corliss said the City Commission soon will be presented with a contract to have Lawrence-based Gould Evans prepare final design documents for the 20,000-square-foot expansion and renovation.
Gould Evans was selected through a competitive process by city commissioners earlier this year. Commissioners later will have to put out to bid the construction contract for the project.
“I would expect that you will start seeing some construction by the summer or fall of 2011,” Corliss said.
The final design process is expected to take six to nine months, even though Gould Evans has completed preliminary floorplans and exterior renderings. But several important details remain, including:
l How the project will be built to allow the library to remain open throughout construction. Flanders said collections likely will have to be rearranged several times, and noise and dust issues will have to be addressed. But he said library leaders are adamant the facility would not close for any significant period of time.
“That will not happen,” Flanders said.
l A way to connect the proposed three-level parking garage with the library so patrons won’t have to go outside.
l Plans for where patrons will park while the parking garage is being constructed on the current surface parking lot adjacent to the library. Flanders said a key decision to be made is whether the parking garage will be the first phase of the project or whether the expansion of the library will occur first.
Details about all the different finishes and how the interior of the library will look and feel also are to come, Flanders said. Already, plans call for a new section — called Popular Materials — to be placed near the front entrance of the facility. It will include a mix of the newest releases of books, movies and music that will be displayed in more of a bookstore style aimed at making it easy for patrons to get in and out.
The rest of the library also will have a different style, with more natural light, computers scattered throughout the building and new furnishings.
“I think it will feel different,” Flanders said. “People who come in now get the sense that there is a lot of concrete and a lot of rows of book stacks. I think we’re going to be able to mix it up a lot more.”
Comments
palmettostar 7 years, 5 months ago
If the Lawrence library ends up being anything like the Topeka Public Library, I'll be happy and I'd be more likely to go to the library. Topeka has a very nice looking and updated library!
Mike Hatch 7 years, 5 months ago
"The biggest detail in the mind of Flanders is when to string the ribbon to be cut"
Seriously?
Must be nice to be able to play "doll house" with other peoples' money.
beerbaron03 7 years, 5 months ago
maybe in addition to a large ribbon to cut, they should make up a big novelty check, lottery style, and the mayor can give it to the library.
ToriFreak13 7 years, 5 months ago
they don't even know how they are going to connect the garage lol....how do you have an idea of how much a project will cost when you have no idea what the project entails...bravo!
ToriFreak13 7 years, 5 months ago
not to mention they don't have plans for the parking lot....but are thinking of building it first...awesome...so you run out of money and run off to Oregon giving Lawrence the bird
kernal 7 years, 5 months ago
Awaiting liquidity asset statement from the Tooth Fairy.
BigPrune 7 years, 5 months ago
I want a piece of this action. Lawrence has some serious mental illness. If anyone can think up more taxpayer supported boondoggles, please let me know your "grand" idea. I'll pick the best one, then we can go for another referendum to raise our taxes.... some suggestions i've come up with already: 1. a free artificially heated "hot" springs spa for downtown shoppers (the water might be green and muddy) 2. expansion of watson museum for more cardboard cut-out displays 3. what about a wave pool at the downtown lawrence pool? 4. refurbishing the old black train downtown that could give rides around the downtown with new railroad included 5. dredging the kansas river below the dam so people can go on a free boat ride below the dam, but also offer rides above the dam to not discriminate. dredging, 2 river boats. 6. buying the old SWB cell tower downtown so people can bungy jump (for free) above vermont street
alm77 7 years, 5 months ago
I'd vote for 4 and 6. : )
EcoFriendly 7 years, 5 months ago
Bleep you you freakin bleeps! We (the community that does NOT make over 50 grand a year) would like to paraphrase a well known commercial "It's my money and I want it now!" because that's what it feels like the city of Lawrence is saying to its people more often than not! I really do loooove the Library, but REALLY??? 18 Million????! What about the people who still can't pay thier heating bills in the winter?! Yeah, the payment program that the utility company offers us is soooo nice, (no really when you are freezing your wa-too-sy off it really is...) but how about this??...You (common citizens) prove that you work your bleep off 365 days a year, pay your bills as best you can with what little you make, and GROW food to supplement what you cannot afford to purchase, AND WE THE CITY will help keep you warm so that you will continue to line our pockets! Because that my friends would be easier to stomach than this bull!
alm77 7 years, 5 months ago
Maybe they do the best work at the lowest price?
Richard Heckler 7 years, 5 months ago
At least this was put to a vote in which a majority said yes.
That's more than can be said for all of the tax increasing new annexation,housing developments,water and sewer lines, Farmland,airport projects,Dicephera related projects and westside retail centers.
gl0ck0wn3r 7 years, 5 months ago
Yes, everything should be decided by a vote. We should get rid of representative government and let a vocal minority - in this case, 10% of 25% of the population of Lawrence - decide. We can have weekly elections! Merrill would have a heart attack trying to keep up his cut-and-paste database.
jafs 7 years, 5 months ago
Well, it would have to be more like 13% to prevail.
Anybody have any statistics on what the actual voting population of Lawrence is (adults and others who can register here)?
Sharon Aikins 7 years, 5 months ago
Ironically, we voted yes for the SLT at one time as well. Majority wins?
gl0ck0wn3r 7 years, 5 months ago
Majority wins only when the vocal minority faux progressives agree with the agenda.
gl0ck0wn3r 7 years, 5 months ago
High five, Flanders.
Perhaps Lawrence needs a monorail next?
kureader 7 years, 5 months ago
Careful ... those who wanted others to pay for an 18 million dollar library addition may like that idea.
gl0ck0wn3r 7 years, 5 months ago
It's been my experience that the ignorant whine the loudest about wanting "improved" services. Perhaps you should consult Captain cut-and-paste's enormous amount of whining for an example... then go read some Mancur Olson.
2GenLtown 7 years, 5 months ago
How about we put money towards our future ie schools and not downtown Lawrence's money making agenda. The parking lot at the library is never full. Ever. But now they need a parking garage?
People who use the library all the time, like my sister who is in law school, think this plan is ludicrous and unneeded.
How about we give 9 million to the library and 9 million to public schools? Care to argue that?
Matt Schwartz 7 years, 5 months ago
;you must not drive by the library. ever. nine million would go very far towards some seats for the soccer field:)
Beelzebub 7 years, 5 months ago
Get over it, losers.
Get a life.
Look on the bright side...now we've got a bunch of good Christian Americans whoring for the wealthy again in Washington.
So turn off your computer and go watch Fox News...you'll feel better.
Bladerunner 7 years, 5 months ago
Well at least that's intelligent. Almost. Okay...not at all!
2GenLtown 7 years, 5 months ago
Calling people losers and get a life? You are old and out of touch. Just like the people who run Lawrence. Typical condescending left winger. You are so out of touch with 90% of Americans that it's disturbing.
How about we put our money where it's needed and not where you left wing socialist's desire? We've gotten a good idea where that will lead us the past couple years. China gets more capitalistic every day and we here in the US want to be communists.
The left wing socialists of downtown lawrence are sure to make some money on this deal. Schools are our future, not a state of the art public library. Sure NYC or LA can afford this type of monument. We cannot. Earth to Liberals. You can't spend more money than you make. But that's why all Liberals are either dirt poor or too rich to care. No fiscal responsibility.
Moderateguy 7 years, 5 months ago
In kind, I am moving forward with my plans to vote with my feet. The non-liability voters and intellectually superior liberals have never seen a tax increase they don't like. I will likely move and take the jobs I create with me. Good luck. If you want to look into the future, check into the financial health of California.
As an alternative, I would like to propose that the taxpayers give me a mere $9 million (half that of the library.) I promise to provide every citizen of Lawrence a puppy, a rainbow and a hug. It's not about the reality it's about the idea.
LawrenceBoy 7 years, 5 months ago
Oh, they give back....to the Williams Fund.
whats_going_on 7 years, 5 months ago
I don't understand that either.
justforfun 7 years, 5 months ago
Me either
slowplay 7 years, 5 months ago
Jane, Larry, ModerateGuy, Glock, etal.... Have some cheese with that whine.
gl0ck0wn3r 7 years, 5 months ago
Will they be serving either at the new library? I'd like to take an empT bus to my monorail stop and stop by for the ribbon cutting.
Alabamastreet 7 years, 5 months ago
Can't wait for the new Library. Great job Lawrence in voting for this! Love ya Larryville.
Georgine McHenry 7 years, 5 months ago
I am feeling some pain from these posts. I do have a question however. Does anyone really think that anyone at City Hall or the assorted big wigs in town, actually read these comments? My next question is what about my street that continues to crumble daily? Spend lots of money on Clinton Parkway for 50 people to jog on but don't repair streets that 50,000 cars use. Doesn't make sense to me. Is Obama and his out of control spending running this town? Are five blocks of business's so great that we must constantly promote downtown? IMHO, I think NOT. Lawrence is not what it used to be.
Thats_messed_up 7 years, 5 months ago
Now 170 lazy slobs instead of 50 can ride the eMTy to the library and surf the internet for 3 hours free instead of one hour. We get to pay for their internet access and movie rentals
Mischka 7 years, 5 months ago
Wow, you think visiting the library is the sign of a slob? Reading and educating yourself is lazy? Providing educational opportunities for the entire community is a bad thing? You have very odd ideas about the world, my friend. So, I guess for you, sitting at home in front of the TV, is productive?
jafs 7 years, 5 months ago
Many people use the library for entertainment, not education.
pace 7 years, 5 months ago
I have been paying for that sports crazy crowd playgrounds for years, this is at least worth something to the community and a real asset for families. We need this library. Between the roundabouts and the library, the library can lead you somewhere for the money.
booyalab 7 years, 5 months ago
“I think it will feel different,”
Oh, in THAT case, it was well worth sending our economy down the toilet.
booyalab 7 years, 5 months ago
I'm guessing in mid-late 2012 they announce another bond issue. All of the $18 million was spent and we need another to afford the ribbon so the library can open. It's for literacy!
Sharon Aikins 7 years, 5 months ago
Always was and will be a poor location in my opinion. Then again, that's just one person's opinion.
bastet 7 years, 5 months ago
Oh, my gosh! Give it a rest! It's done. Move on. Find something else to complain about or maybe go outside and enjoy the sunshine instead of the electronic glow from your computer screen.
Gedanken 7 years, 5 months ago
This is the problem with elections. You vote and suddenly you believe the world is going to be a better place just because you voted. People need to stay active in the issues. Yes, the people who tried to stop this plan failed. Does this mean we should stop holding people accountable? Heck no! It is up to tax payers to ensure that the money is well spent now that it has been allocated. The library and the politicians of Lawrence are not going to do it for you!
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