Salishan Library and Commercial Core Project ... Delayed?
According to the City Manager’s report, the Tacoma Housing Authority is rethinking its plans for the Salishan neighborhood’s commercial core based on funding issues regarding the library that was originally planned to be a part of that core. Recent cuts to the library system budget have left them without the operating money needed to run the library, and financing for the building is being stalled.
The center in general, and the library in particular are important components of the Salishan neighborhood development, and it’s a shame to see such a beneficial element for the community held up. This is yet another reminder of how inter-related all our public services are. Even with $3 million allocated from the 2009 bond, the development is a no-go if partners don’t have the funding they need for their side of the project. THA itself is bracing for federal-level cuts, and planning its 2012 budget accordingly.
Filed under: libraries, Developments
2 comments
J Jesse November 11, 2011
Here’s an unpopular statement but it’s true: Libraries are past their usefulness. Have a desk where you loan out Kindle’s. Done.
C cat November 14, 2011
If you think “libraries are past their usefulness” have never been to a crowded Pierce county library.
I find them to be very busy and filled with people use every aspect of their services.
I think the salishan and MLK libraries failed due to their size.
How much stuff can you fit into a building the smaller than a 711?
And their locations i feel were decided to offer services to the poor, but their locations at the time and even now are mostly gang and drug infested areas.
How many of those people are looking for library services?
That would be like putting a farm supply store in the middle of New york city, how many people would use it?
And I for one do not think anything will progress there until Salishan is not filled with the gang and drug activity it has even though they have the fancy new houses that replaced the old.