Berkeley officials blast lawsuit challenging library project

Contra Costa Times ^ | 4/28/11 | Doug Oakley

[SmithL]

Berkeley officials say a lawsuit by residents could prevent the demolition and rebuilding of two aging libraries in the poorest areas of town.

The officials took their case to Berkeley residents Tuesday night, publicly urging the plaintiffs to drop the suit at a rally before a City Council meeting.

The suit, brought by five residents calling themselves Concerned Library Users, contends language in a 2008 ballot measure that secured money for the renovation of the libraries does not contain the word "demolish" and that doing so would be illegal.

At issue are plans for demolition and construction of the west branch library on University Avenue and the south branch on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Current plans for demolition and reconstruction of the two branches would cost about $10.3 million.

[SmithL]

Everyone is a Community Activst in Beserkeley.

[Navy Patriot]

Berkeley doesn't need a library, old or new. Their citizens already know everything, just ask 'em.

On second thought, don't.

[JPG]

Rat vs Rat is becoming a common occurrence as the money dries up. Rule 1 still holds. Socialism doesn't work.

[Michael.SF.]

[stylin19a]

here the wording of the ballot meassure

"This bond measure would authorize the issuance of $26 million of general obligation bonds.

The bond measure specifies that bond proceeds would be limited to renovation, construction, seismic, and disabled access improvements, and expansion of program areas at the City’s four neighborhood branch libraries, but not the Central Library downtown.

Current plans for renovation include restoration and refurbishment of historic features at the branch libraries as part of any renovation."

would this measure have passed if demolition\rebuild was the reason ? assuming they could do it for 26 million ?

[TheOldLady]

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Lazamataz is hanging in the balance!

[Kieri]

Oooh, sounds like they want a fine library like Detroit!

"Machie said officials argued about the value of the two fireplaces — which cost $5,021 apiece — but she said staff pushed for them because they had seen them in suburban libraries. The 24 pendant light fixtures hanging above computers cost $531 each.

Machie said she wouldn't have approved the chairs because they can be easily damaged. She said she has had to remove new leather chairs from the Skillman branch downtown and replace them with wooden ones after homeless people defecated on them.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110422/METRO/104220381/Critics--$2.3M-Detroit-library-project-a-symbol-of-waste-amid-budget-crisis#ixzz1KqS5hXD9

[Sherman Logan]

FWIW, knock it down and rebuild is sometimes a good deal less expensive than remodel/renovate.

[ApplegateRanch]

knock it down and rebuild is sometimes a good deal less expensive

Whatever, but still, the ballot wording was explicit. Besides, the University Branch is Historic and should be PROTECTED FOREVER!

What makes it Historic?

I, ApplegateRanch many times walked past it in the '60s, and LOOKED at it!

IT HAS MY EYETRACKS ON IT!!!

I might be able to say the same for the other, I'm not sure, since there was no such street name as "Martin Luther King Jr. Way" at that time...at least not by that name.

[ApplegateRanch]

Destruction of history ping! (See my #8 for the provenance.)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks SmithL.

The suit, brought by five residents calling themselves Concerned Library Users, contends language in a 2008 ballot measure that secured money for the renovation of the libraries does not contain the word "demolish" and that doing so would be illegal. At issue are plans for demolition and construction of the west branch library on University Avenue and the south branch on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Current plans for demolition and reconstruction of the two branches would cost about $10.3 million.

The language probably doesn't include "bricks" and "labor", or "books" either. But anyway, pass the popcorn.

[SunkenCiv]

Whoops, sorry, Thanks ApplegateRanch!