Lawrence Public Library Expansion Project – Decision Items for Moving Forward

1. Commission to receive and accept library consultant’s reports in concept and detail. Commission to concur and support the following summary statements discussed in the February 22 Study Session:

• Agreement on planning window and design population.

• Planning window is 2025.

• Design population for 115,000.

• Agreement on benchmarks for library service.

• Circulation of materials increases to +/-12 items/capita (50th to 75^th percentile).

• Print collection target is 395,000 (80th).

• Non-print is 15% of Print (95th).

• Magazines: shift from 431 titles to +/-500 (28th to 75th).

• Reader’s seating 388 seats: 240 readers and 148 PC.

• Computer terminals based on expected number of visits per year (47 to 148).

• Increase variety, quality and technical capacity of meeting space.

• Operational budget funding acknowledgement.

• There is an acknowledgement of the impact on operational budgets to provide the proposed services.

• Concurrence on Critical Success Factors and other Library requirements.

• Library to remain in downtown.

• Library to be visible as a stand-alone institution.

• 126,638 gross square feet of new library space provided as programmed in detailed report.

• Building footprint of approximately 60,000 square feet; or roughly 2 ½ stories in configuration.

• Parking to be self-evident and easy to use: Parking for 260 cars minimum. Parking for 400 cars is desirable.

• Loading, service area, book drop and pick-up accommodated on site.

• Library building provides maximum flexibility to accommodate changing collections, technology and services during the life of the building.

• Concurrence on other Library specific requirements.

• The City Commission and Library Board will collaboratively determine the acceptability of private partner proposals specifically in addressing the Library’s needs, aspirations and success and in selecting and retaining the Library’s architects and consultants.

• Provide a visible “front door” to the library.

• Provision for 15,000 square feet per floor of future expansion is desirable.

• Provision for an open space/plaza of 50,000 square feet is desirable. Open space with more square footage could be used to serve as the farmers’ market, as an amphitheater, or other public uses.

• Library design incorporates sustainable design strategies at the certification level of LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - at a minimum.

• Layout to allow operational efficiency to match operating budget.

• Structural bay spacing of not less than 30’-0” X 30’-0”.  Larger column spacing would allow for maximizing flexibility for the future.

• Finish floor to finish floor height is to be not less than 17’-6”.

• The documents Lawrence Public Library Vision for 2025 dated February 22, 2006 and the Lawrence Public Library Report Summary presented at the City Commission Study Session of February 22, 2006 are considered part of these requirements.

2. Commission to approve city advertisement for proposals beginning immediately. RFP language below also to be approved:

Request for Proposals

City of Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence Public Library - Downtown Redevelopment

The City of Lawrence, Kansas is seeking qualified proposals from prospective developers or property owners for downtown redevelopment projects that provide for a new or expanded Lawrence Public Library. Kansas law allows the City to enter into redevelopment agreements and use certain financing mechanisms to construct certain public improvements and redevelop qualified properties. Proposals may utilize tax increment financing (TIF) as allowed by K.S.A. 12-1770 et. seq. and/or such other public incentives as the developer may propose.

Concurrently with the timeline of this RFP, the Library Board and its consultants will continue to evaluate the current library site as to cost and viability of expansion. A new or expanded library on the current site will be compared to the responses to this RFP. The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. The City reserves the right to negotiate with the prospective developer concerning the terms and conditions of the redevelopment agreement and use of tax increment financing or other public incentives.

The response to proposals shall include the following information:

a) A detailed description of the proposed project. The description should include the library, any proposed private development and the necessary public improvements to support both. Explain the proposed ownership of the project components and the general relationship between the public and private sector during construction and long-term facility operations.

b) Sufficient financial information to allow the City to determine the financial viability of the project and tax increments accruing from the project to finance requested public improvements.

c) Qualifications of the development team and relevant experience

d) The developer will be required to prepare a qualified feasibility study as required by the TIF law if such financing is a part of the proposal. In response to this request for proposals, the City is requesting that the prospective developer provide either the completed study or sufficient information indicating the ability to complete the study in a timely manner.

e) A detailed description of planned compliance with City land use requirements, including the City’s downtown design guidelines.

f) A detailed proposed schedule of compliance with the requirements of K.S.A. 12-1770 et. seq. as amended if part of the proposal.

The City will place a higher ranking on proposals that provide for additional off-street parking associated with the project.

The developer will be responsible for all costs associated with the preparation of the proposal.

Provide 10 bound copies of the proposal and one Adobe PDF or similar electronic copy. All proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m., May 4, 2006, to the City Manager’s Office, 4^th Floor, City Hall, 6 East 6^th, P.O. Box 708, Lawrence, KS 66044.