There has been a lot of wild talk recently about the Main Street Library –
People have been signing petitions, staging rallies and talking about needing to SAVE the Main Street Library.
I am pleased that the Main Street Library has such strong support .
I would like to put everyone’s mind at rest. The Main Street Library isn’t going anywhere. It isn’t about to be torn down.
The City is updating the Downtown Specific Plan and the Library and the Library site are included in the plan area. The plan mentions a possible concept for the Main Street location, that would create a cultural overlay district in this section of Downtown where art and culture would come together.
The concept that is mentioned in the plan is just that – it is one concept. It isn’t an actual plan or project.
Before any project could even be considered there would be meetings to gather public input and lots of public discussions about how to create a cultural district or commons area at Main Street that would meet the needs of residents and enhance the Downtown environment.
We have just started to talk about what it would take to provide a real 21st century library at our Main Street location. The Library and Library Board of Trustees will be involved in any discussion about the Main Street Library and we will want to hear from everyone in the neighborhood about what they want and need.
I believe that Libraries are amazing places of transformation and growth, and my job is to ensure that all of the Huntington Beach Public Library locations provide the kinds of services that make that happen. I want to make Main Street the best possible library it can be – this may eventually mean some changes will have to be made, but the Main Street Library isn’t going anywhere.
I am happy to talk to anyone about Main Street and how we can make the library better.
With all due respect (and I really mean that) the Cultural Arts Overlay as part of the DTSP is being voted on in September by the Planning Commission and the City Council.
ReplyDeleteThe development plan currently includes the demolision of the historic library and the destruction of the library park, called Triangle Park.
In its place will be built the single largest "tourist attraction" (not my words, but those of the Mayor) ever built in the city of HB.
A small city library such as we have at this location is meant for the local residents, not for tourists.
We don't need a 30,000 sqaure foot facility, 35 feet tall, 3 stories, that houses a small library along with a performing arts theater, restaurants with alcohol being served, book store, gift store, museum, art gallery, underground parking, etc. etc. that will attract hundreds of thousands of tourists to this location, which is right in the heart of the oldest and most historic residential community in all of Huntington Beach.
To learn more, please contact Kim Kramer at kim@e-mailcom.com.
Thank you for sharing your concerns and fears for the Main Street Library. I am glad that the Library has strong advocates and supporters. I do think that there are ways that the city can improve the library and create something of value to the community and the residents in this section of downtown. How we do that is at the heart of the matter.
ReplyDelete