Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE DULUTH LIBRARY FOUNDATION TO ACCEPT A CONTRIBUTION UP TO $150,000 TO HELP PAY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY-INFORMED PRE-DESIGN FOR CONVERSION OF THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY TO A MULTI-PUPROSE, REGIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to enter into a funding agreement, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 1, with the Duluth Library Foundation to accept a contribution up to $150,000 to help pay for development of a community-informed pre-design for conversion of the Downtown Library to a multi-purpose, regional community service center; funds to be deposited into Fund No. 450-030-4660 CP450-24BOND-MNLBRY (capital improvements, finance, gifts and donations, capital projects - other fund contributions, MN state bonds 2024, library bonding project
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes a funding agreement with the Duluth Library Foundation to accept a contribution up to $150,000 to help pay for development of a community-informed pre-design for conversion of the Downtown Library to a multi-purpose, regional community service center that would house: (i) CareerForce, the regionally focused, interagency-operated, workforce development center currently housed in leased space at the corner of West 1st Street and Fourth Avenue West; (ii) a new Downtown Library; and (iii) complementary nonprofit-provided community services such as mental health crisis outreach, tax assistance, and affordable health insurance access.
The Foundation’s contribution will help to pay for 50% of the anticipated $300,000 cost of a community-based pre-design process that will include intensive community engagement, technical facility assessments, schematic designs, and project cost estimates. The Foundation shall deliver a $150,000 contribution no later than June 1, 2023. If final costs prove to be less than $300,000, the City shall reimburse a pro-rate portion of its 50% contribution. In addition to their financial contribution, the Foundation will be the City’s lead nonprofit partner in planning, conducting, and hosting the community-based pre-design process.
The purpose of the planning process is to position the City of Duluth to be able to seek capital funding for the project from the 2024 Minnesota Legislature. To compete for those funds, local governments must submit a final project pre-design by October 31 of this year.
Well-conceived renovation of the building has the potential to supercharge library and workforce development programming, establish a uniquely inclusive Duluth place where all are welcome, celebrated, and served, engage outside funds to pay for non-discretionary reinvestment in a deteriorated City asset, and contribute to the post-pandemic revitalization of western Downtown Duluth.