Potential financial backing for the Carnegie Library will have to wait until at least May 17 after Manitou Springs City Council’s split decision on Tuesday, April 5.
Councilors agreed 4-3 to postpone a decision on providing money toward a $3.2 million project after a near two-hour discussion. Councilors Natalie Johnson and Nancy Fortuin, and Mayor Graham dissented.
“During this postponement, staff is directed to have architectural drawings prepared by a licensed architect which reflect the proposals depicted in the neighborhood model,” Councilor Michelle Whetherhult moved.
“The architect is also directed to present possible floor plans, elevation views and conceptual costs analysis on par with those that were presented in November 2021.
“In addition, staff is also directed to obtain an updated cost analysis of the November 2021 drawing (by RATIO Architects) because costs may have changed since November. This will facilitate a cost comparison between the architectural drawings.
“Staff is also directed to coordinate an in-person community engagement which allows the public to compare and contrast the neighborhood model versus the November 2021 plan.”
Mary Pulvermacher and Rob Danin of the Preserve and Renew Our Carnegie Library Task Force and capital campaign consultant Kimberley Sherwood presented a financial proposal and a timeline for the Carnegie Library upgrade.
The estimated cost for renovating and expanding the 701 Manitou Ave. building is $3.2 million.
Pulvermacher said the project requires 80 percent of funds — $2.56 million — committed before construction starts.
The trio hopes that the 80 percent would come through seed money: city commitment, public grants and lead gifts.
The remaining $640,000 could come via community campaigning, such as peer-to-peer fundraising, community events and varying donations from community members.
“We see this as a multiphased process, not just a one-and-done,” Sherwood said of the fundraising. “The thing to stress here is when you’re doing these kinds of initiatives, there’s a lot of energy required for them to be successful.
“It’s not just writing and implementing the plan, people are involved. Fundraising is a relational business. It’s not like pushing a magic ATM button or shaking people and expecting money to fall out.”
Between successful fundraising and construction, the campaign would stretch from Jan. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2023, if all goes according to plan.
“There’s some nuance and some finesse and that’s why a strategy is really important for figuring out the various elements and how they fit together,” Sherwood said.
Pulvermacher said the task force continues to work to ensure the building remains as the city’s library and hoped City Council decided to aid their quest.
“I think we’re at a critical juncture and the condition of the Carnegie building was assessed as poor and cannot be used as is,” Pulvermacher said. “That means that the city has to invest in order to do anything with it.”
“The majority has been very clear that they want this building preserved,” she added.
More than 10 audience members highlighted this statement with a handful singing praises about the importance of the library.
“I feel like there’s still time for revisions and dealing with the details of this project,” said Karen Storm, a Manitou resident. “We need a commitment to move forward and make this happen for our community and for our future.”
However, some council members were hesitant to approve funds toward Carnegie.
“Under the state constitution we’re not allowed to do a loan this way,” said John Shada, Manitou Springs mayor pro-tem.
“We can do lease-purchase things. The reason we can do things like that is because, if we stop paying in any one year, people come and take our police cars or fire trucks away when we stop paying. There’s no collateral.”
Councilor Judith Chandler said, “Nobody wants this library built more than I do,” but wants the backing to occur in a measured manner.
“I do not buy that we’re in a crisis mode or that we have to fish or cut bait and if we don’t make a decision (that day) that the Earth is going to crack,” Chandler said.
“We have a functioning (Pikes Peak Library District)-managed library in Manitou that has significantly boosted the Makerspace. … That’s not where I want the permanent home to be. But we do have a space while we make very good decisions.
“I’m very concerned about committing one dime to a design that’s not finalized.”
Mayor John Graham spoke for more than four minutes explaining why he’s tired of “kicking the can down the road” and the norm of “paralysis by analysis” regarding providing capital toward the project.
“I realize there are a lot of concerns on council (about if) we’ll lose the marijuana money,” Graham said. “Should we push out our decision until we see what Colorado Springs decides? Do we want Colorado Springs voters to tell us what our future is? Whether our kids can go down to get a book out of the library?
“No, this is Manitou. This is our destiny, it’s our future, it’s our life, it’s our library. Let’s fix it, let’s get it done. I’m in favor of moving quickly.”
City Administrator Denise Howell said it would take one to two weeks to get an appraisal from an architectural firm regarding council’s request.
“I’m going to let you know whether we can hit (that deadline),” Howell said. “I’ll send that out to everyone and you’ll need to bring it back for an agenda item if we cannot hit this deadline.”
Graham nodded and provided a direct response.
“I understand that we’ve asked the impossible,” Graham said.
Adam’s Mountain Café owner Farley McDonough, president of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors, spoke about business owners’ feeling that they’re not being consulted on parking fee decisions. Council does not respond to non-agenda items at regular meetings.
Special to the Bulletin