Letter To The Editor: Considerations For New Downtown Library

It is not difficult to understand why Mr. Galluzzo is in favor of moving the Renton downtown library to the old location of the Big 5 building.  As Chairmanof the Board of the Renton Chamber of Commerce, his focus is stimulating business in Renton.  However, a balance is needed to that viewpoint and should include some additional considerations:

1.  a library should add to the value of life in Renton

2.  a library is a non-profit business – patrons are not coming and going with the thought of spending money.

3.  a library is a service to the community

4.  a library should be a quiet place of introspection and contemplation – or at least provide that kind of atmosphere.

5.  a library should be a safe place to visit for everyone, which typically includes young children and the elderly.

6.  a library should provide places to preview books and magazines and do literary research.

7.  a library with the advance of technology should provide connection to online resources.

8.  a library should have quick, easy, safe egress with adequate parking especially for the young and elderly who may not be able to walk as far (or may inadvertently dart into traffic).

Seattle has a big beautiful downtown library that is surrounded with economic activity.  One could say it adds to the vitality of downtown Seattle.  The current Renton library was located next to the former City Hall with lots of accessible parking, a big beautiful family friendly park, a picturesque river side trail and the most unique quality of being built directly OVER the river.  It is truly a destination place.  Renton has touted this combination at almost every opportunity to showcase the quality of life in Renton.

If we try to analyze the arguments for staying or moving the current library the one most cited for moving is to provide a stimulus to the downtown core.  That is a hard one to understand.  The current library is in the downtown core.  Would moving it a few blocks affect business that significantly?  What is that saying to the businesses currently near the library – your value is less than those a few blocks away.  Hard to understand.

An argument made to not move the library is the negative influence of the Bus Transit Center being so close to the new location.  Many have voiced concern about traveling through the transit center area because of the clientele that uses the Center and the violence that has occurred there.  Would a library nearby and its patrons change the dynamics of the Transit Center or exacerbate it?  It is doubtful.  However, it seems logical that the new library may be used by the Transit Center patrons.  The worry is they would not be in the Library to peruse books but simply to use the facilities.  Believing that having the Transit Center close to the new library would bring more library users seems empty since several bus line runs in front of the current library.  It would be hard to prove more or fewer patrons to a new library because of the proximity to the Transit Center.  Is it fair to characterize this dilemma as an either or situation – the new library or the Transit Center?  Probably not.  If the Transit Center is a place for unwanted patrons or violence, that should be an entirely different focus.  Change it or move it.

Many of the downtown businesses are small restaurants.  A library may help daytime business but probably little in the evening or nighttime.  Most downtown restaurants are equidistant from the current or proposed location.  It is hard to believe other businesses would be affected much either way from a re-location. 

Proponents of the move cite the new library would be next to the Piazza Park.  The Piazza is a beautiful location but hardly comparable to Liberty Park and the Cedar River Trail.  Additionally, considering the City’s parking garage as an asset for a new library seems moot if comparing the ground-level, easy access and close by parking capacity of the current library.

In the vote to annex our library into the King Count Library system, the “fine print” says we are obligated to build two new libraries.  One of those is to be in the Renton Highlands.  There doesn’t seem to be much discussion about that initiative.  But it seems unreasonable to use the wording of that resolution to force us to build a downtown library without good cause.  Being good stewards of our tax dollars and infrastructure would counter that logic.  What entity would force Renton to spend significant money at this time to buy nearby property and build a new library that would be smaller, less accessible, less open and certainly less of a locale?  Such an obstacle seems precisely why we have a City Council.  Additionally, just because we can issue bonds to finance this move seems weak management of city resources, both in personnel management and finances – especially considering the current economic situation.  If this is truly a requirement, one is left to wonder if there is a path to either NOT build a new library, postpone such a decision indefinitely, or question whether another area of Renton may benefit more from a library.

It should be acknowledged that the vast majority of Renton citizens that cast votes for the library annexation to KCLS were unaware of the requirement to build two new libraries.  That seems a strange component of deciding whether to annex to KCLS.

Renton has already committed to buy the vacant Big 5 building.  Without questioning why that decision would be made without a consensus on what is to be done with such an investment, could the City attract some other kind of business to the Big 5 location?  This may be an issue that needs more consideration.

A library, by its nature, attracts patrons for short term visits.  If a new library is built, would that translate into more/better sales for downtown businesses?   That seems impossible to determine until after the fact.  However, one could argue that library patrons are unlike a shopping/eating patron.  The library is not a place to spend money usually.  As a destination place, most people have little thought of spending money.  The challenge of getting them to spend spontaneously would change little whether the library moves or stays.

Are there other, better businesses to stimulate the downtown core?  Offering tax incentives to a new or relocating business may make sense.  How about the location as an education facility -  offer Renton Vo-Tech that site for perhaps their culinary school, or the Pima Medical Institute or City University (both near Renton Village) might be enticed to relocate.

Another question would be how many of the current library patrons would continue to use the proposed new location.  Would the new location attract new users?  What would be the incentive for new patrons over the current building.  There is a lot of traffic that passes by the new location – literally within 20 feet.  On the whole, that seems to be less attractive than providing benefit, for both patrons and the drivers.  Certainly safety at the new location would be less than the current location on several levels.  A parent would have to be very cognizant of their young children if the new location becomes operational.

Would patrons to either location be more compelled to linger nearby either before or after visiting the library?  The current locations offers grassy areas, riverside walks, ball fields, and a park-like setting all around.  The new location offers the Piazza Park and concrete sitting areas that is neither tranquil nor quiet.  Most would consider the current location a factor FOR a better quality experience.

Mr. Galluzzo and those speaking in favor of moving the library seem to gloss over what happens to the current library building.  From a financial and business perspective, it seems strange that they advocate a new library as being a positive influence and not offset that with the potential for negative affects of abandoning the current location.  Since City Hall moved from the 200 Mill Ave. S. building, keeping optimum occupancy has been a problem.  Another empty building next door may negatively affect how families and others use Liberty Park.  It seems ripe for transient infestation.

The challenge goes out to all Renton citizens to list the pros and cons of this proposed move, consider all the variables, make your own determination, then provide that input to our City Council.  They have requested it.  Attending/watching a City Council will show that we have competent and caring elected officials.  They need to know our desires to make the right decisions.  Please provide that.

Richard Morris

Renton resident since 1976