10.19.2011

Open House: Design Review

The Friends of the Juneau Public Libraries announce:
Open House: New Valley Library, 
Monday October 24th

5:30 pm @ Mendenhall Valley Library.

Refreshments and light supper provided

What makes a great library? Public insight, vision and support are needed to answer this important question. Come make this library your own. The event will showcase and discuss design options, the grant process, and community needs for a new library. In today's economy libraries are more important than ever and books are only half the story.

If you missed the Design Options Workshop, here's another chance.  We'll catch people up on project background, current conceptual drawings, community input and refinements and talk about the community involvement that will be needed to make this new library a reality.  Come take part in shaping a beautiful, functional library and community space in the heart of the Valley.

Please look at the designs now on display at the libraries and submit your comments here or in person at your neighborhood library.  All comments received will be forwarded to the architects for consideration in this design phase.  This will be the final public input session on the conceptual plan for the new library before we submit the grant application.  As we move forward in the new year, there will be many additional opportunities to influence the design.

Resolution Passed by Assembly

We made it over another hurdle!  The CBJ Assembly approved Resolution 2590 authorizing The Manager To Submit To The Alaska Department Of Commerce, Community, And Economic Development An Application For A Library Construction And Major Expansion Matching Grant For Construction Of A Valley Branch Library At Dimond Park.   


Thanks to everyone who attended the meeting and to all those who worked the phones beforehand.  There was a great turnout of library friends in the chambers and we look forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions at the next public meeting on Monday October 24th, 5:30 at the Valley Library.  Now it's time to get the grant writing wrapped up!    

10.11.2011

Resolution sent to Assembly

Yesterday, the CBJ Assembly’s Public Works and Facilities Committee sent the resolution to the full panel for approval.  


Applying for the grant now doesn’t commit the city to the project. The assembly will vote on the resolution next Monday, October 17th at 7pm in Assembly Chambers.  Public Comment and Testimony will be taken.  


Jeff Vogt, President of the Friends of the Juneau Public Libraries commented at the meeting, “If we let this slip by our fear is that instead of looking at a 7-million dollar project to the city – of which the Friends have already committed a million at least – if we let this slip by at this point in time it could slip by for a long, long time.”   


It has been a long-standing goal of the Friends of the Juneau Public Libraries as well as of the staff at the Juneau Public Libraries to find a permanent, city owned home for the Mendenhall Valley Branch since it moved into its first leased (temporary) location at the Mendenhall Mall in 1983.

10.08.2011

Public Works & Facilities Committee Meeting


·         The Public Works and Facilities Committee meeting (at noon on Monday in the Assembly chambers) will review the resolution that approves submitting a library construction grant application to DCED and then vote on whether to send the resolution forward to the whole Assembly at their October 17th meeting.

10.07.2011

Article in Empire


Valley library taking shape, readying to seek state funding

Cost could be $13-15M

The preliminary plans for a new Mendenhall Valley library were presented Wednesday evening, showing three concepts with a price range of $13 million to $15 million. 
MRV Architects and Library Director Barbara Berg showed the initial plans as they will be seeking approval from the city’s Public Works Department and its Assembly to submit a grant application to the state. The project could receive 50 percent of its funds from the state. The city’s 50 percent of the project cost could include land value and private donations. Berg said the city’s financial contribution would have to be 20 percent, and that would come via temporary 1 percent sales tax funds, if approved by voters.