Proposal for Reuse of the Carnegie Library
The Carnegie Library is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and owned by the City of Lawrence. It was built in 1904 and is located on the northwest corner of 9th and Vermont Streets in downtown Lawrence. The following proposal is submitted for consideration:
Proposed use
The facility could become a public recreation facility operated by the City of Lawrence Parks & Recreation Department. We have a need for additional space for classes and activities and there are four or five large spaces and rooms in this facility which could house new recreation class offerings to the public. There are about a dozen classes currently held at the South Park Recreation Center which could be moved to this larger facility.
After the Lawrence Arts Center moved into their new home, requests continued for using the gallery and performance hall in the Carnegie Library. These spaces could be reserved for use by groups and organizations in addition to park and recreation activities.
Combined with this proposal would be a request to tear down the South Park Recreation Center and move the current recreation functions and staff from that building to the Carnegie Library. The South Park Recreation Center, built in 1963, is in need of nearly $100,000 worth of repairs.
South Park is on the National Register of Historic Places and removal of this structure would help preserve the historical significance of the park. The area where the center is now could provide more needed open play space similar to what was planned in South Park as part of the original townsite of Lawrence.
Management of the use
The Facility would be operated by the City of Lawrence Parks & Recreation Department.
Secure funding for the use and day-to-day operation
Current recreation funds used to operate and staff South Park Recreation Center could be transferred to this facility to offset some of the costs. Being a larger facility, additional operating funding would be needed. It is also anticipated that additional revenue could be generated over what is currently generated from the South Park Recreation Center.
Building requirements to accommodate the use
The Carnegie Library would need to be brought up to current standards for accessibility and designed and equipped to accommodate recreation classes, reservations and office space, which would be done as part of the planned 2003 renovation work.
Parking requirements
Parking would need to accommodate a maximum 100 cars during larger reservations. This could be accomplished though the use of existing lots around the building and nearby city parking lots
Additional information that would assist the City Commission in understanding and evaluating the proposal
The South Park Recreation Center is located in a historic district and is viewed by some to be a detriment which distracts from the historic characteristics of the 12 acre park. Across Massachusetts Street the Bill Kelly Bandstand has been renovated and in 2002 the historic Teddy Roosevelt Fountain was relocated in the park flower gardens and turned back on after extensive renovations.
The improvements that need to be done to this 40 year old recreation center are extensive (new roof, new HVAC system, new duct work, new windows, new doors, update restrooms, change building entrance to provide better security) and probably are not a good investment for this small building.
At the present time the highest need, and use, for this building is to house the staff involved with recreation program registration. These staff members could be relocated and still serve the public need. There is potential for consolidation of other recreation staff member to be relocated to the Carnegie Library to help improve communications and efficiencies in delivery of services.
Proposed use
The facility could become a public recreation facility operated by the City of Lawrence Parks & Recreation Department. We have a need for additional space for classes and activities and there are four or five large spaces and rooms in this facility which could house new recreation class offerings to the public. There are about a dozen classes currently held at the South Park Recreation Center which could be moved to this larger facility.
After the Lawrence Arts Center moved into their new home, requests continued for using the gallery and performance hall in the Carnegie Library. These spaces could be reserved for use by groups and organizations in addition to park and recreation activities.
Combined with this proposal would be a request to tear down the South Park Recreation Center and move the current recreation functions and staff from that building to the Carnegie Library. The South Park Recreation Center, built in 1963, is in need of nearly $100,000 worth of repairs.
South Park is on the National Register of Historic Places and removal of this structure would help preserve the historical significance of the park. The area where the center is now could provide more needed open play space similar to what was planned in South Park as part of the original townsite of Lawrence.
Management of the use
The Facility would be operated by the City of Lawrence Parks & Recreation Department.
Secure funding for the use and day-to-day operation
Current recreation funds used to operate and staff South Park Recreation Center could be transferred to this facility to offset some of the costs. Being a larger facility, additional operating funding would be needed. It is also anticipated that additional revenue could be generated over what is currently generated from the South Park Recreation Center.
Building requirements to accommodate the use
The Carnegie Library would need to be brought up to current standards for accessibility and designed and equipped to accommodate recreation classes, reservations and office space, which would be done as part of the planned 2003 renovation work.
Parking requirements
Parking would need to accommodate a maximum 100 cars during larger reservations. This could be accomplished though the use of existing lots around the building and nearby city parking lots
Additional information that would assist the City Commission in understanding and evaluating the proposal
The South Park Recreation Center is located in a historic district and is viewed by some to be a detriment which distracts from the historic characteristics of the 12 acre park. Across Massachusetts Street the Bill Kelly Bandstand has been renovated and in 2002 the historic Teddy Roosevelt Fountain was relocated in the park flower gardens and turned back on after extensive renovations.
The improvements that need to be done to this 40 year old recreation center are extensive (new roof, new HVAC system, new duct work, new windows, new doors, update restrooms, change building entrance to provide better security) and probably are not a good investment for this small building.
At the present time the highest need, and use, for this building is to house the staff involved with recreation program registration. These staff members could be relocated and still serve the public need. There is potential for consolidation of other recreation staff member to be relocated to the Carnegie Library to help improve communications and efficiencies in delivery of services.
