Moline approves contract for new library
The Moline Council voted 7-1 last night to award a $10 million dollar contract to Russell Construction to build a new library just south of the current Southeast Branch site.
The only dissenting vote was 2nd Ward Alderman and mayoral candidate Pat O'Brien. According to the Dispatch/Argus report, O'Brien opposed the plan because "he feels the funds could be used to renovate the downtown library and a new facility could have been created from an existing building."
The project is expected to cost a total of $12.5 million dollars and will result in a facility that will almost triple the size of the existing libary and provide enough room to grow the collection for 25 years. It will include public meeting spaces and a coffee shop.
The only dissenting vote was 2nd Ward Alderman and mayoral candidate Pat O'Brien. According to the Dispatch/Argus report, O'Brien opposed the plan because "he feels the funds could be used to renovate the downtown library and a new facility could have been created from an existing building."
The project is expected to cost a total of $12.5 million dollars and will result in a facility that will almost triple the size of the existing libary and provide enough room to grow the collection for 25 years. It will include public meeting spaces and a coffee shop.
posted by The Inside Dope @ 3/09/2005
3 comments
3 Comments:
With all due respect, who gave Mr. O' Brien THAT advice? The train has left the station, so to speak, and there is all kinds of private monies dedicated to the new library. The time for a protest vote was back in 2004 sometime.
Parents I know in Moline want to see forward movement!
Maybe Alderman O'Brien, who I've never met but have heard good things about, should look for a new set of advisers.
I highly doubt Pat O'Brien has any formal "advisors". He seems to be quite capable of forming his own opinions on things.
I commend his keeping a tight eye on large expenditures, and agree to a certain amount that there probably could have been some plan that incorporated using the old SE library branch building rather than starting from scratch.
I'm not sure what could be done with the downtown library, as it sits on a square lot hemmed in on all sides. It's such a classic building, one wonders what could be done without pretty much destroying it.
But as far as city spending goes, I can't think of much better uses than providing a modern, inviting library for it's citizens.
Yes, I think the "King of Beers" is a bit harsh on Pat O' Brien.
Listen, it takes guts to be the lone voice on that city council.
Whether he's right or wrong, I admire his guts. Moline is in for some tough days ahead -- financially, economically -- and I for one am glad to see someone running who isn't just a carbon copy of GOP INC. that has run this town for too long.
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