The Chapel Hill Public Library plans to move most of its collections temporarily into University Mall later this year while the existing library undergoes expansion.
Town Manager Roger L. Stancil said Wednesday that negotiations are being finalized with real estate development firm Madison Marquette to lease an 11,000 square-foot space inside the mall during the expansion project.
About 70 percent of the library's collection will be available in the mall space during the renovations. The remaining 30 percent will be put into storage.
Chapel Hill residents approved bond funds in November 2003 to support the $16.26 million library expansion project. When the recession hit, the town delayed issuing the bonds for about two years, until the Town Council this June gave the project the go-ahead. The sale of the bonds is scheduled for September. Following final design plans and issuance of bids, construction may begin in December 2010 and last 1-1/2 years.
Dave Hart is the associate editor of The Chapel Hill News.He can be reached at 
Comments
Genius, NOT!
Fri, 07/30/2010 - 07:42 — fhblackOnce again the "king of the keyboard kritics" comments on what he hasn't taken the time to study so that he could know more about that which he is so critical. Yes, to meet all of the needs and concerns, people spent a lot of time figuring out how to do this efficiently, effectively and safely while controlling cost. Too bad it's just not as simple as your comment implies.
See http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2008/09/08/5f/5f-staff_memo.htm, and especially the attachment with the options.
LOL PM and Fred
Fri, 07/30/2010 - 14:58 — elvisboy77While I have not been a member on any "committee" or "focus group" or "advisory board" etc etc like you all may have, I have been in the building design and construction business since the early 80's and I can tell you that when a building addition is made a good design team will use that new space as "swing space" if an existing building renovation is also intended.
Not that you are interested in the facts. And since it is taxpayer money, the cost to move all of those books across town instead of across the library is of no moment to you. Nor is the rent they will pay.
The web page Fred cites, and the attachment, is an INCOMPLETE financial analysis. There is only mention of lease costs, nothing about relocation costs, etc etc. Hardly a document that is sufficient to make a decision. And of course, if you ask a contractor whether they would prefer to work in an occupied or unoccupied building, what do you THINK they would say? Not exactly rocket science.
Speaking of rent, why don't they just move the books to the old library temporarily? Oh, yeah, I have not been on the library advisory board so that makes no sense. Why get free rent when you can pay?
You all can attack me personally all you want, and blind yourselves to the facts, call me a "keyboard kritic"- which is very high school of you Fred, but the FACT remains that to one with skill in the art of building construction this is an unnecessary move.
If you think this and prior comments are irrelevant then maybe you need to go get a degree in Architecture.
And PM would you kindly either point out what in my prior comment is "stupid" or apologize for your insulting comment?
Really, you folks are getting good at making personal attacks instead of arguing my posts on the merits.
So Sad
Fri, 07/30/2010 - 21:10 — fhblackthat every single decision made here is wrong in your professional judgment. Why not move to Chapel Hill and save us before decisions are made?
Ha, Ha Fred
Sat, 07/31/2010 - 19:03 — elvisboy77I have offered help in the past even though I do not live there.
And in fact have cut tens of thousands of waste out of projects. All without being on a committee, advisory board, or attending a charette or meeting.
Truly amazing, don't you think Fred? I mean no meetings or committees! Think about it pal!
Elvis, While I agree with
Fri, 07/30/2010 - 16:07 — pmcgahanElvis,
While I agree with your questioning of local government most of the time, I do believe that some of your posts are negative for negativity's sake.
Now that the town has decided to proceed with the expansion of the Library, the layout of the access road and the building's entrance makes its continued operation during construction very challenging.
The University Mall site is an excellent idea. I'm actually wondering how much money the town could save if they made it permanent.
PM
Fri, 07/30/2010 - 16:35 — elvisboy77Do you have experience and professional training in building design?
Or do you just like the ease of parking at University mall?
And I have not looked at the plans, but if parking at the library is a hassle, what does the project do to address this issue?
If it is a problem as you imply, and you are looking forward to ample parking at University Mall then how can you say the design of the library expansion is a good one if it does not address this problem?
And, you have still not told me what in my prior post justified calling it "stupid" which is a bullying term to me. Please advise or apologize, thanks.
Stupid = Uninformed
Fri, 07/30/2010 - 16:41 — pmcgahanStupid = Uninformed
Oh Ms PM
Fri, 07/30/2010 - 17:41 — elvisboy77What did I say that was" uninformed?" What, I was not a "committee" member? Does that make me "uninformed?"
To me, this is another Public Works Facility boondoggle. You remember, the $40M project that cost $52M?? What was it that cost another $12M?? Did anyone ever figure that out or did Chapel Hill just keep writing checks? And do we have the same design team on this library project? It sure smells like it.
This is another example of a bad conceptual design taken to construction document level. You are welcome to google those terms if you do not understand them.
And PM I am still waiting for an apology or explanation of what was "stupid" in my first post. Some specific citation would be most helpful. Lacking that, an apology would do as well.
Assuming you are a progressive from Orange County, I am not hopeful that I will get either from you. So far, no good. Not a suprise, sadly.
Fred is right
Fri, 07/30/2010 - 12:27 — pmcgahanFred,
I agree with you completely on this one. Posting stupid comments just for the sake of posting is a waste of everyone's time.
The temporary move to vacant space in University Mall is a great idea. The location is great and the parking is even better.
By the way, have you ever noticed how full the Library parking lot is early in the morning before it's even open. I think that there are University employees are parking there and taking the bus to campus.
Genius
Thu, 07/29/2010 - 23:02 — elvisboy77So, are you saying that they are shutting down the library for renovations? And moving all of the books to University Mall?
If so, then shame on the design team that could not figure out a sequence of construction to keep it open. These are really hard to figure out, for example:
1. Build addition
2. Temporarily move collection into new addition
3. Renovate existing space
4. Move collection back into renovated space
5. Put addition into service as intended.
Here's hoping that I am misreading your story, otherwise it is time to fire the design team and start over!
Recession
Thu, 07/29/2010 - 20:54 — tbucknerThere was a nationwide recession in 2001. The National Bureau of Economic Research called it officially over in July 2003.
Delay timeline
Thu, 07/29/2010 - 12:33 — CitizenWillDave, my recollection is the 1st year's delay (or most recent delay) was due to budget constraints prior to the economic downturn. While the economic downturn has caused some issues, the bulk of the problems we see in the Town's budget are not caused by the plunging economy but longer term issues that have been exacerbated by the downturn.
Casually accepting the blank assertion trotted out by some of our longer serving Council members and the Town Manager that our Town's budget problems are the fault of the terrible economy doesn't help our residents understand the troubles we are facing. It's certainly worked as a great political smokescreen but everyday the press continues to accept it as reality is one more day of delay in facing some rather stark (and worsening with the bond issuance and Lot $5's environmental remediation on the horizon) fiscal realities.
The full timeline of the project is here:
http://www.ci.chapel-hill.nc.us/index.aspx?page=871
The initial acceptance of the design was initiated in 2008:
http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2008/10/15/7/