The ongoing effort to modernize the Carnegie Library building is in its second phase, raising funds to modernize the building that was built more than a century ago. That includes ensuring it complies with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
Members of the Preserve and Renew Our Carnegie Library Task Force are working with Kimberley Sherwood, the capital campaign consultant the city hired using dedicated library funds from the Manitou Springs budget.
Sherwood presented information about the fundraising timeline at the Jan. 11 City Council meeting. The goal is to generate $3.2 million to $3.4 million to renovate and expand the building, which the city owns.
Once 80 percent ($2.6 million) of that has been raised or committed, construction can begin. The city has already invested $204,357 for project planning.
Manitou citizens have donated $346,516 since 2015 and have approved the 15-year Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage tax. As a Tier 1 property among the MACH beneficiaries, the library project received $41,278 in 2021.
That will likely increase this year, since the MACH tax took effect in July 1, 2020.
Sherwood broke down estimates for funding sources as $2.6 million from a few “significant investments” and $600,000 to $800,000 from the community campaign, bringing in gifts of “all shapes and sizes.” She foresees both will take 12 to 18 months.
“We are very appreciative and pleased to have had another opportunity to interact with our City Council as we kick off the Carnegie Library capital campaign,” task force member Rob Danin said.
He expects a decision about the city’s funding commitment sometime in March.
The project has already received an initial donation from a donor who asked to remain anonymous.
“Our task force is quite excited about receiving this initial donation to kick-off our capital campaign. Not only will this donation help in reaching our necessary goal for construction on the library expansion, but this serves as a great motivator and affirmation of what we are trying to achieve,” Danin said.
He and fellow task force member Mary Pulvermacher presented its 2022 MACH funding application on Jan. 13. Danin declined to share details, since MACH board members are deliberating about that and other requests before presenting their recommendations to City Council.
“As with all of our communication with the MACH advisory board, I feel that it was a collegial and collaborative opportunity in sharing our request for ongoing MACH funding toward the library expansion,” Danin said.
He, Pulvermacher and Sherwood meet weekly with City Administrator Denise Howell, the acting project manager. Last year, task force members contributed more than 1,500 volunteer hours.
That includes keeping in touch with key collaborators on city staff, along with providing support to the Pikes Peak Library District, the designer at RATIO Architects and community members.
That’s all part of the effort to “help ensure our expanded ADA-compliant Carnegie Library not only meets the needs of all who enter, but also represents, in design, our cherished historical and iconic Carnegie building,” Danin explained.
One of the task force’s major priorities is focusing on community outreach. Its members are available to speak to local entities and organizations about the effort; just email preserveMScarnegie@gmail.com.
“Laying out the facts and raising awareness about this 20-plus-year project is vital in getting our community to engage,” task force member Laura Ettinger-Harwell said.
“We want the people of Manitou to be a part of bringing this beloved library back to life and able to serve for the next 100 years.”
Danin sends out regular updates about the task force’s efforts and meeting minutes. Join the mailing list, which is at about 80 recipients, by emailing the address above.
The task force also shares information on a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SaveOurManitouCarnegie), which has about 230 followers.
“We cannot say enough about how appreciative we all are about everyone’s support of this library endeavor,” Danin said. “We fully recognize that the progress that has been made could not have occurred without the public’s efforts and support.”
He said the campaign will soon be at the point that additional community members can be enlisted for outreach efforts. The task force is still determining what specific skills to look for in those additional volunteers.
Danin said the task force is being praised for its organizational skills and hard work.
“However, it cannot be stressed enough that our progress would not be where it is today without all the previous work on this goal of library expansion and ADA access by those who came before us,” he said.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
RATIO will present the more detailed design and work with the participants to further refine specific parts of the project’s direction at these meetings:
Wednesday, Feb. 23: in-person community meeting, 6 p.m., at City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave.
Thursday, Feb. 24: virtual community meeting, 6 p.m.
Information: www.manitou springsgov.com/633/_Carnegie-Library.