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March 12, 2010
UP Library
Comfortable chairs, more computers and increased public meeting space are among the amenities UP residents will enjoy when the new library opens up in early 2011. Pierce County Library Executive Director Neel Parikh met with the UP City Council this week to outline key tenant improvements for the future library. The new library will be situated on the first floor of the Civic Center building which is now under construction on Bridgeport Way. City Hall will eventually occupy the second and third floors.
According to Ms. Parikh, the Library District developed a priority list of items based upon extensive community input. A warm comfortable place featuring wood and natural light was among the top requests along with additional space for books, movies and computers. Separate spaces for children and teens, community meeting spaces and an economic and environmentally sustainable building also received high rankings.
The City approached the Library District several years ago to discuss the possibility of relocating the library into a combined Library/Civic Center within the proposed Town Center area. Based upon numerous public meetings and discussions with private developers, it became clear that a successful Town Center would have to be built up to the grade of Bridgeport Way to increase visibility and future retail sales versus trying to attract businesses to locate down in a "hole." The Library District agreed to partner with the City on the project with the condition that the City would replace the library with a similar library.
Thanks to the collaboration between the City and the Library District, our residents will enjoy a more spacious library, going from 12,000 to 15,000 square feet along with an additional 5,000 square feet for future expansion. Smartboard capability, video conferencing, mobile computer labs and enhanced audio systems are also among the new features identified for the library in the future.
Discussion among council members and Ms. Parikh focused on clarifying City and District responsibilities for various tenant improvements. For example, the City is responsible for basic interior improvements such as walls, electrical wiring, heating and ventilation. In turn, the Library District is responsible for any "new" items such as a raised floor, LEED certification measures, display cases and additional equipment along with all unattached furnishings. The Library Foundation is now conducting a campaign to pay for such improvements. For more information, contact Cindy Bonaro at the University Place Library at 565-9447.
Discussion also occurred surrounding the potential deletion of any late penalties within the construction contract that may occur even though the City is making a good faith effort to complete the library as soon as possible; however, both parties agreed to pursue this discussion. The Council is scheduled to consider a call for bids for the interior improvements on Monday, March 15. People are also invited to call Deanna Neufeld at 460-2526 to schedule free hard hat tours of the library/civic building.
Intermodal Transit Facility (Town Center Garage)
First of all, our new parking garage is technically an "intermodal transit facility" because it is designed to encourage people to use several modes of transportation including bicycles, hybrid/electric cars and park and ride spaces in conjunction with trips utilizing Pierce Transit and Sound Transit. Transit parking will be open to library patrons and the general public during non-transit hours. The City Council recently authorized a bid award of $659,848 to Pease & Sons to construct interior improvements to the garage that include interior walls, fire suppression, ventilation and pedestrian and vehicle guard rails. This phase of the project is 100% funded through federal stimulus grant funds.
US Census - Count UP!
During the month of March, all UP residents should receive a copy of the 2010 US Census form from Uncle Sam. The Census Bureau's "Take 10" campaign is encouraging people to fill out the census as soon as possible - it is only 10 questions and takes approximately 10 minutes to fill out. People who complete and mail the census by April 15, 2010 can help reduce the cost of the census since every 1% increase in mail participation will save $85 million used for sending out census workers to go door to door.
Why is the census important? For one thing, it determines how federal funds are distributed for projects such as health care, education and roads. The census also affects the number of seats states get in the US House of Representatives along with redistricting boundaries for future elections. So when your census form arrives, take 10 minutes to fill it out and mail it back. Personal information cannot be shared so make sure to count everyone in your house. For more information, visit www.2010census.gov
UP Addresses
Even though we've been a city for 15 years, some people are still using Tacoma for their mailing and billing addresses. Please make sure you use University Place in your address - any sales tax that you pay goes to the city that you identify as the location of your home or business. If you're paying the taxes anyway, it just makes sense to ensure that the revenue goes to help pay for improvement in YOUR community.
As always, I welcome your questions and comments. Please feel free to contact me at dklosowski@CityofUP.com.
Debbie Klosowski
Mayor, City of University Place
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