... and I Meant Every Word

Our team was asked to make a 15 minute presentation about our project at a public forum entitled What is the Future of Madison’s Central Library? Here’s what I what I used my time to say:

Our proposal for the Central Library is uniquely distinguished by several major features:

• It creates a new free-standing library on West Washington Ave – locating it on a primary downtown arterial and the major axis through Capitol Square. The site at West Washington will provide more visibility and stature to the Library as a civic institution, and the self-contained building provides maximum security and control for library staff.
  
• This approach completely avoids costly interim relocation and operational disruption during the construction period - and those costs are simply wasted resources.
  
• After completing the new library, we plan $46 million of new construction on the existing library site, which will generate new property and room taxes expected to exceed the entire City cost for the new library.
  
• This plan creates 400 new parking stalls that help satisfy the need found by the City’s LRTPC in 2001 - at the #1 location recommended by the City’s Ad Hoc West Washington Parking Committee in 2003
  
• Finally, it provides a green-built building at a guaranteed cost - and LEED-Silver certification reflecting the value Madison places on sustainability

The public experience will be outstanding at this facility. Southern exposures and 18 ft floor heights will bathe the interior with natural light. And bay window will provide the public with fantastic views of our city up and down West Washington and of both lakes - views usually reserved for the executive suite.

Our team well understands that more public discussion is needed about the value and role of libraries in our community and the central library in particular. But as a starting point, please allow me to share our beliefs with you:

• The role of the library is changing, but libraries are not becoming obsolete.
• Libraries are popular and well utilized by all segments of our community.
• The library is the only institution that offers free and equal access to all members of our society.
• Libraries are places of opportunity for education, self help and workforce development.
• Libraries are economic generators. Studies show that libraries provide $5 of economic benefit for every dollar invested.
• Great cities have great central libraries. And many have been re-investing in them to be properly positioned for the 21st Century.
• Great central libraries are popular destinations for the regional community as well as visitors to the central city.
• The central library performs substantial service for the branches in the system. The system is dependant on the central core.
• Libraries are icons to cultural intellect.
• Finally symbols are important within a community. . . and not just dollar signs

Madison is a city that values education, literacy, the search for knowledge, democracy and accessibility, welcoming the diversity of our community - and all of these values are most symbolized by the central library. Just as the State Capitol building is symbolic of the value we place on democratic government; so Madison’s Central Library should represent the value we place on free access to knowledge and opportunity for our entire society.

This is a defining moment for us… future generations are going to live with this decision - and we need to do it right.

I hope that you agree with me that one of the clear lessons from our current economy is that we must all begin to shift our focus from short-term financial thinking to a longer-term view. We must distinguish meaningful investment from short-term costs. And we must act responsibly.

Madison has a unique opportunity right now to take advantage of several federal financing programs to aid in the creation of a new Central Library. Washington has recognized that our nation’s infrastructure is aging and is providing resources for projects just like this. For example, we have identified programs that could provide $9.5 million of federal subsidy to our project. It is both wise and patriotic to participate in these. But realize that these extraordinary stimulus programs are only available for a short period of time.

Our proposal for the library - at an expected total cost of $40 to 42 million - appears on the surface to be the most costly option. But I would argue strongly that it is the best value. First, it’s a better and more valuable site and building structure. But more importantly, if Madison analyzes these 3 alternatives from the perspective of an investor - it will consider both costs and benefits.

And when the City’s cost is offset by the new revenues generated by each proposal - our vision certainly comes at the lowest net present cost. Similarly, the most costly alternative to the taxpayer is the remodeling option because it offers no new tax base - and its entire cost must be borne by the taxpayers.

Our architect - Steve Holzhauer at EUA - likes to imagine this image as a postcard - showing the Library as one of the icons of our City. And I think it would be one - not because it presents a flamboyant and gold-plated building, but because our attractive and functional architecture exploits the natural physical advantages of this location … Because the views out will be as pleasing as the views in. … And because it will be a highly visible landmark. This will be a place that is authentically special because of it topography and the attractiveness of Madison’s urban environment!

Finally, I want to comment on our development team. I am very proud of the professional firms we have assembled. Fiore - Findorff - Eppstein… We are all headquartered in downtown Madison - we understand the central city - and we have a long history supporting it. And we’ve added Irgens Development Group and PSA/Dewberry to form a “super team.”

We are here to work with you! . . . This selection will not be the end, but the beginning of an important public dialogue. There remains a long road ahead - and lots of decisions to make. We want to be your partner in this, and we hope to be given the opportunity. Thank you.