Any building’s useful life can be extended if you are willing to spend a bunch on maintainence. Also, you have to be prepared for little “surprises”. A few years ago, a plumbing fixture broke in the Downtown Library, spraying what is euphemistically called “raw sewage” all over a basement service room. The fixture was no longer available commercially and had to be fabricated, causing the Downtown Library to be closed for a few days.l

Public buildings erected with public funds are a whole other matter. Those elected to oversee the spending of those funds have an obligation to spend them wisely and in keeping with the values of the community.

This community values environmentalism, architectural excellence, and history. The library has done a good job of incorporating architectural innovation and environmentally responsible construction into its branch locations. I would hope that the library board would continue to show the same leadership when it comes to the main branch downtown.

In the design and construction world, Ann Arbor is known as a center for architectural firms that specialize in the rehabilitation of older buildings. These firms have blended this specialty, which is inherently “green,” with the latest green building technologies. Why not use one or more of these local firms to analyze the current building and develop a program to rehab it?

Another community value is history. The original front portion of the library was designed by noted Michigan architect Alden B. Dow (the 60 year old part–the rest was added only about 30 years ago). The City has already completely ruined the context and integrity of his landmark City Hall building (always made me think of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim) with the new police/courts building. I can only hope that the library board will have a better appreciation for the work of this important architect than City Council did, and find a way to restore/preserve this fine example of mid-century civic architecture. (They can start by eventually restoring the planter in front!).

I believe that by putting one of our excellent local architectural firms to work, the library can rehabilitate the existing building, respect the work of Alden B. Dow, and be fiscally and environmentally responsible at the same time. It may be harder and less glamorous than breaking ground on a brand new building, but not only would this have the support of the community, it would save us millions of dollars.

“Rehab, baby. Rehab!”

By way of example, here’s an excerpt from our report of the September 2009 library board retreat:

Board member Margaret Leary brought up an additional concern: The current downtown library is “slowly but surely falling down.” Over the past year the board has approved two significant capital expenditures for the building, to replace two of its air-handling units for around $300,000 and a freight elevator for $113,000.

[Board member Carola] Stearns said she didn’t question the condition of the existing building. Rather, she wondered if spending $70 million to build a new structure on that Fifth Avenue site is the best approach.