Written by Council
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 4:28 PM
Attachments:
From: Denis Law
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 1:47 PM
To: Denis Law
Cc: Jay B Covington
Subject: Downtown Library
Dear Councilmembers,
Following weeks of debate and recent developments, I want to propose that you consider postponing any decision regarding the location of a new downtown library.
Given the importance of this topic and the impact of this decision to everyone in our community, I believe it is important that all our councilmembers be present and participate in the library debate and ultimate decisions. Councilmember King Parker will miss next Monday’s Council meeting due to a business trip, and Council President Terri Briere will be out of town the following week. In addition, some of our councilmembers have expressed their desire to have additional time to seek input from a broader base of our community, beyond those who have expressed their view at recent Council meetings.
Yesterday, we rolled out a comprehensive downtown safety initiative that includes additional police officers, rigorous enforcement, cameras, lighting and more in downtown Renton and the Transit Center. Unfortunately before we could implement this program and put these strategies in place, we had a gang-related shooting in downtown last night. Postponing this decision will allow us to fully implement this plan, which we believe will dramatically improve the sense of safety in our downtown area.
We are confident that there will not be any significant impact to the library decision if we decide to take some additional time to study it further and get additional public input. However, we do recommend moving forward with the design and financing of the Highlands Branch.
If you agree with this option, I also recommend that you delay the second reading of the bond ordinance and your decision on the Inter-Local Agreement.
If you feel this idea has merit, it needs to be discussed in an open meeting on Monday. I wanted to send this to you now so you would have a couple days to consider this option.
Denis Law
Mayor, City of Renton
1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
I REALIZE THAT HAVING A PARK DOWNTOWN IS IMPORTANT, BUT INSTEAD OF GOING WITH THE BIG 5 SITE HOW ABOUT TAKING PART OF LIBERTY PARK AND BUILDING A NEW LIBRARY YOU COULD MAKE IT 2-3 STORIES AND NOT HAVE A BIG FOOTPRINT
THEN THE MUSEUM COULD MOVE INTO THE OLD LIBRARY BUILDING OR USE IT AS A COMMUNITY CENTER
“Postponing this decision will allow us to fully implement this plan, which we believe will dramatically improve the sense of safety in our downtown area.”
Frm my perspective, the “additional police officers, rigorous enforcement, cameras, lighting and more” only serve to reinforce my opinion that the Transit area is not all that safe.
Security Cameras at the Library?
Will KCLS Director Bill Ptacek allow security cameras near the Library? He seems overly concerned about the privacy rights of muggers vs. the safety of citizens.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015138444_library25m.html
another downtown shooting?! do you really want to have your library in that area?