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July 20, 2010
The Hennepin County Board appears ready to buy property on which to build a long-awaited, $25 million library in Brooklyn Park.
Commissioners recently gave county officials preliminary approval to negotiate for a 7-acre site in Brooklyn Park at West Broadway and 85th Avenue N. The parcel is across the street from North Hennepin Community College and belongs to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system (MnSCU), which has authorized its sale. The price could range up to $850,000.
"I'm thrilled with it," Board Chairman Mike Opat said of the Brooklyn Park site, noting its proximity to families, the community college and the probable future route for a light-rail transit line. "We looked for a good site and we found a good site."
The new library would be at least double the size of the current Brooklyn Park library, at 8600 Zane Ave. N., (opened in 1976), where growing populations have outstripped the capacity to keep pace with library materials and technology. The current facility issued 3,400 new library cards to users in 2009 and is overcrowded. The new facility would be 30,000 to 40,000 square feet compared to the existing 15,183 square feet.
The project includes construction of a new road, estimated at approximately $500,000, connecting West Broadway and 85th Avenue around the library's north and east sides. The road would be a joint project of the city, county and MnSCU.
If the purchase goes through during the fourth quarter of this year, construction could begin next spring with an opening in 2013. “All we have to do now is get the pens out,” says Michael Noonan, the county’s senior real estate manager.
“We are excited about the location of the new library. The library’s proximity to the college provides some future collaborative possibilities for the community, the campus and North Hennepin students” says NHCC Chief Financial Officer, Dawn Reimer. The college plans to use the proceeds from the land for future facilities improvements and deferred maintenance. |