Care, integrity defined library relocation discussions

By Susan Corrigan,Phyllis Fleming and Doug Elliott

The Gazette had it right in its recent editorial when it said the Cedar Rapids Public Library Board of Trustees faces “critical decisions” in the next few months. Truth is, the library board, just like many homeowners, businesses, non-profits and other city departments, has been facing critical decisions every day since mid-June 2008.

Even though we are providing only site possibilities to the city council, which has sole authority to decide on the library site, we've taken arriving at that list seriously.

Although Gazette articles raised questions about some of the possible sites and the role of one of the building committee members, there has been a process and great care taken by members to make sure the process was handled with integrity.

Monthly meetings were held by committee members: Doug Elliott, Phyllis Fleming, Susan Corrigan and Dennis McMenimen from the board of trustees; a representative each from the Friends of the Library and the Foundation; our interim library director; and our architects. Late spring, attention turned to the critical path item of site selection.

Work was done to determine site possibilities that were all centrally located and out of the flood area. Three of the sites were blocks between Seventh and Eighth streets and First Avenue and Fourth Avenue SE, given easy access to Interstate 380. And there were others.

When McMenimen, a lawyer, heard that one of the sites suggested by another committee member was the block bordered by First and Second avenues and Seventh and Eighth streets SE, he immediately disclosed that he was legal representative for property owners and that discussion participation would be limited to site attributes and any voting, although none was done, would be prohibited. Additionally, we knew from the start where the decision rights resided to decide, negotiate and procure any site: city and city council.

We shared site possibilities with a small group of city council members and the some-20 criteria that included things such as flood plain constraints, vehicular and pedestrian access, proximity to downtown, site availability, site size (adequate parking) and others.

It was clear that there was not a shared view to be outside the wet area, with the trustees advocating for higher ground. In the end, we agreed to consider a site across Fourth Avenue SE from Greene Square, a block that had been in a flooded area and to have our architect do more research on elevating the library.

Our understanding was that public release of any site possibilities would not happen until the mid-August open houses. Those were the marching orders to which we were working. Unfortunately, that proved not to be what happened.

The strife among the small group of council and the trustees on the building committee has played out in the public eye. The resignation of McMenimen during this process is a big loss for the library and consequently, our community.

McMenimen asked the questions that needed to be asked; his goal was always to make the community a better place. As finance chair, he worked diligently to change the fact that the library has not been adequately funded for many years. His dedication was unquestionable, many weeks volunteering 10 to 15 hours. His knowledge about legal and business issues will be missed sorely. And above all, his integrity is irrefutable.

We forge ahead. For our part, we will and must set aside disputes. The council will reduce the number of sites proposed to a final listing. Please join the open houses Aug. 18 and 19 as these final sites will be shared, representing the starting point of a new library future.

Phyllis Fleming, Doug Elliott and Susan Corrigan are members of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Board of Trustees who serve on the library building committee.