First, we start with the funding…

It’s easy to dream up a plan for a beautiful library. It’s much harder to find the money to build it.  Rather than starting with the dream, this time we’ll be starting with the money first.

The library will be working with the Foraker Group’s Predevelopment program to come up with a realistic funding plan for a new library that includes a grant funds, local fundraising, and a municipal contribution. Once we have a realistic plan for funding. then we go to the architect and see what kind of library we can afford to build.  

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It’s time for a new library…and it’s time to get involved.

This spring, when a poll found that 86% of Petersburg voters are in favor of a new library, we heard loud and clear that people understand it is time for a better library for our community. But a question we also heard was: how is it possible in these lean economic times? With grant funding the Foraker Group will guide us through the process of planning a library that is within our means and one we can and afford to maintain and operate. This is where you come in… we need your help keeping the new library project on track. Attend a public meeting, visit the library’s website, or drop by the library. We need you to give your opinion and stay informed. It’s time for a new library…and it’s time to get involved.

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“New hope for library project”

Just as the Petersburg Pilot headline read this week, there is indeed ”new hope for the library project”.  During a great visit with the Chris Kowalczewski from the Foraker Group we were able to understand some of the flaws with the library-museum project and make sure that we don’t repeat the same mistakes twice.

We need to strike a balance between available funding, construction costs, and ongoing operations and maintenance costs if the project is to succeed. And, with help from the Foraker Group, we’ll be working to strike that balance over the upcoming months. With careful planning and lots of public involvement we hope to come up with a plan for a new library that is realistic and one that the community supports.

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Did you miss the library building committee meeting?

You can listen to the meeting or read the minutes on the City’s website.  Just scroll down to ‘library building committee’ link.

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Library Building Committee worksession

The Library Building Committee will conduct a Work Session on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The purpose of the work session is to meet with Chris Kowalczewski from the Foraker Group’s Predevelopment Program and Paul Voelckers, architect. The public is invited to attend.

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Predevelopment program saves the day

With help from the Foraker Group’s Predevelopment Program plans for a stand alone library will continue to move forward. The program will fund the conceptual redesign of the facility as well as contract with the McDowell Group to do a feasibility study for the new library.

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