The Minneapolis Public Library board agreed April 9 that construction of a new $122.5-million downtown library should proceed as planned. An analysis of the costs found the new facility would be approximately 15% cheaper to run than the old—now demolished—central library.
City leaders had recently questioned the affordability of a new building in the face of a budget shortfall.
The board also agreed to explore the possibility of reducing costs by joining operations with Hennepin County, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported April 10. “What we’re looking for is efficiencies so we can preserve and enhance and maintain our system,” commented trustee Anita Duckor.
The issue next goes before the city council’s Ways and Means Committee April 14.
Posted April 14, 2003.