An update you on some great news regarding the JP Library renovation/expansion project. The City Council passed the FY08 budget last week (which runs from July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008). Part of the budget is the capital projects budget, which authorizes money for capital projects in the next five years.
Due to the continued support and efforts of Councilor Tobin, the Friends of the JP Library, and library patrons in the JP community, the JP library project received a lot of attention this budget cycle. Because of all of the calls and letters to City Councilors and the Mayor requesting funding for the project, we were successful in ensuring that the project will continue to go forward.
Here is what was agreed to in the recently passed city budget:
1. The “Project Mission” description has been changed to read: “Construct an addition and renovate the existing branch to facilitate program delivery and improve access.”
2. The Request for Proposals for an architect to complete the final design phase of the project will go out in April 2008;
3. $500,000 has been put in the FY09 budget (which runs from July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008) for the design phase of the project and spending for design will begin in FY09; and
4. A future authorization of $8 million has been put into the current capital plan to fund construction of the renovation project.
Many, many thanks to each of you for your help and support for this project. We need to continue to be supportive advocates for this project to ensure it continues to move forward.