One of the inducements to expand the Crystal Lake Library is “free money” from state government, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office’s State Library, to be specific.
Crystal Lake is so relatively “rich,” compared to the rest of Illinois, a library grant would be 35% of the eligible costs. As one can see from the email below, a parking garage is not considered with those eligible costs.
Parking lots, yes. Parking garages, no.
A parking garage has been suggested for the east end of the property off Paddock Street.
I filed a Freedom of Information request for any communications concerning the expansion proposal and got this reply from Lawren Tucker:
“In response to your FOIA request included below, the email also included below is the one written communication the Illinois State Library has received from a representative or agent of the Crystal Lake Library concerning a potential construction grant application from the library.
“As of [Friday], no application has been received and the application deadline is the close of business Monday, April 16.
“If an application is received, we would consider it exempt from the FOIA Act until a final decision is made pursuant to subparagraph (h) of Section 7 of the Act (5 ILCS 140).
“Thank you for your request.”
The communication provided appears below:
“From: Joe Huberty [mailto:joeh@engberganderson.
com ]
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 3:49 PM
To: Shaffer, Mark
Subject: Crystal lake Library – Construction Grant Question – Parking Structure“Mark,
“As we discussed, a parking structure is generally considered to be an enhancement and exceeds the Grant’s standard of covering only basic costs.
“As such it is not an eligible expense in either the site improvement or the building construction sections of the estimate/application.
“To follow on that line of thought, can the cost of surface parking that could be developed in the area anticipated to be the parking structure be identified as an eligible expense in the site improvement section?
“As always, I appreciate your assistance.
“Joe
Joseph M. Huberty, Partner
AIA | NCARB | LEED AP BD+C”
Other stories of possible interest:
It’s just easier to raise taxes.
Besides, you want Mayor Shepley’s promised referendum during an off cycle municpal election when fewer people are paying attention.
Of course, you don’t want to be on the ballot as a candidate running for election/re-election with a tax increase, do you?
There wouldn’t be a political component to this, would there? I’m not saying, I’m just saying.
Today’s Friends of Crystal Lake Library, which seems to generate huge dollars annually, could be an interesting place to visit today if I can get my other obligations completed early.