Planetarium Still on Track
for Minneapolis Public Library
A committee overseeing the effort to build a new Minneapolis Public Library voted June 17 to use $1.8 million from its $125-million budget for a design alteration that would allow the library to retain the city’s planetarium. Although the original design approved in February incorporated the planetarium on the skyway level, Gov. Jesse Ventura vetoed the $9 million in state funding May 22 that was to provide for its construction.
The new adjustment would move the planetarium to the fifth floor, where it could easily be dropped from the plans if funding fails to materialize next year, according to the June 19 Minneapolis Star Tribune. Legislative lobbyist Andy Kozak told the committee he felt certain lawmakers would approve $10 million next year, especially with Ventura not running for reelection.
If affirmed by city council and the library board in the next few weeks, the plan will keep the library on track to begin construction in 2003. Architects Cesar Pelli and Associates have put the project on hold pending a final decision on the planetarium.
The current library and planetarium are housed in a building scheduled to be demolished in the fall. The new library will be constructed on the same site.
Posted June 24, 2002.
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