SEE RENOVATION LAY-OUT PLAN FOR MSL at http://www.springfieldlibrary.org./branches/MS%20plan.pdf
From: Robert Warren, City Law Dept., Sent Friday, May 28, 2010: There was an article on the Urban League that was published in the Republican, on May 26, 2010. Additionally, the City's relocation consultant has been informed this week that closure of the negotiations with regard to a replacement site are still a couple of weeks away. The City is still waiting for the Urban League's formal request to remain in occupancy at 765 State Street pending finalization of its relocation claim and move plans, which may include a temporary move and a counter proposal with regard to the amount of the use and occupancy that will accrue after June, 1, 2010.
From: Carol Leaders, Springfield City Library: In addition, we met with Scott Pierce, City Facilities and Mike Tully, Parks Division to discuss plans to spruce up the garden behind the Mason Square Library. Mike is going to develop a Master Plan that can be implemented in stages. He has a few ideas that can be implemented right away (Phase 1) which include taking down a couple of dead trees; weeding; mulching; and planting replacement trees. Mike also found some concrete benches that we can use for Phase 1 of the project. We are also exploring the possibility 'A Gardening the Community' initiative involving neighborhood youth that would help beautify the garden. This will be great as the Summer Reading Program begins on June 21st.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
MSL Weekly Update (Some real progress at last!)
From: Molly Fogarty, Director Springfield City Library: The Urban League has selected a new site!!!! See update from Attorney Warren below. Renovation plans are moving along. Steve Jablonski and staff have been working with the furniture vendor and a meeting is scheduled for next week to plan the Reading Garden. Please contact me if you have any questions.
From: Robert Warren, City Law Dept.; Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010; Weekly Update - 765 State Street: The City has been informed this week that the Urban League has found selected a new site and will make a public announcement once an agreement has been finalized with the landlord. The Urban League will be submitting a written request to the City to remain in their present space beyond June 1, 2010, until their move plans and their relocation claim can be finalized. The Urban League will pay a use and occupancy fee. The City will review the Urban League request once it is received.
Question - Relocation information provided below doesn't really provide represent any progress since we were also told last week that the Ul was negotiating on some unamed sites. Hearing more about the city's notice to quit and/or steps taken re collecting the use and occupancy fee would have been more informative.
Response - Information reported though succinct was accurate and in light of today's report, the negotiations were successful. A "notice to quit" is the first step in a summary process procedure. As discussed before this is an adversarial procedure that could be counter productive. Today's report reinforces the City's conduct of vacating the premises in a manner both professional and in accordance with Chapter 79A and its regulations. Collection of the use and occupancy fee is premature.
A use and occupancy fee by its nature is paid in arrears. Though assessed as of June 1, 2010, the use and occupancy fee is not due until July 1, 2010.
From: Robert Warren, City Law Dept.; Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010; Weekly Update - 765 State Street: The City has been informed this week that the Urban League has found selected a new site and will make a public announcement once an agreement has been finalized with the landlord. The Urban League will be submitting a written request to the City to remain in their present space beyond June 1, 2010, until their move plans and their relocation claim can be finalized. The Urban League will pay a use and occupancy fee. The City will review the Urban League request once it is received.
Question - Relocation information provided below doesn't really provide represent any progress since we were also told last week that the Ul was negotiating on some unamed sites. Hearing more about the city's notice to quit and/or steps taken re collecting the use and occupancy fee would have been more informative.
Response - Information reported though succinct was accurate and in light of today's report, the negotiations were successful. A "notice to quit" is the first step in a summary process procedure. As discussed before this is an adversarial procedure that could be counter productive. Today's report reinforces the City's conduct of vacating the premises in a manner both professional and in accordance with Chapter 79A and its regulations. Collection of the use and occupancy fee is premature.
A use and occupancy fee by its nature is paid in arrears. Though assessed as of June 1, 2010, the use and occupancy fee is not due until July 1, 2010.
Friday, May 14, 2010
MSL Weekly Update
From: Robert Warren, City Law Dept., Sent Friday, May 14, 2010: Mr. Thomas has reported this week, to the City's relocation consultant, Steve Mollica, that the Urban League is currently in negotiations with a couple of sites, from the pool of sites that Urban League has been reviewing. On the City side, a meeting attended by the City Solicitor, Library Director, Facilities Director and staff was held, in early May, to review and discuss building repair costs (including a roof repair) for presentment to the Springfield Library Foundation, as well as the renovation plans, for the Mason Square Library building. At this meeting the Library Director, Lee Forgarty, also proposed, for this summer, the construction of a "Reading Garden" at the library site. Costs and plans for this endeavor are currently under development.
From: Carol Leaders, Springfield City Library: You can now view the overall floor plan design for the Mason Square Renovation Project on the Library's Website -- www.springfieldlibrary.org.
We will continue to keep you posted as the project progresses. Any suggestions on what you would like to see, please let us know.
From: Carol Leaders, Springfield City Library: You can now view the overall floor plan design for the Mason Square Renovation Project on the Library's Website -- www.springfieldlibrary.org.
We will continue to keep you posted as the project progresses. Any suggestions on what you would like to see, please let us know.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
MSL Weekly Update
From: Molly Fogarty, Director, Springfield City Library: Sent: Friday, May 07, 2010: As you can see below, there is no new information regarding the lease negotiation by the Urban League. Steve Jablonski attended the Library
Commission meeting (May 5) and presented preliminary drawings for the full service Mason Square Branch. Liz Stevens attended the Commission meeting.We met with a Representative from Tucker Library Interiors on Thursday at Mason Square to select furniture and shelving for the Library. Please contact me if you have any questions.
From: Robert Warren, City Law Dept.: The City's relocation consultant, Steve Mollica, has informed me that there have been no new developments this week.
From: Sheila McElwaine, former Library Commissioner: I understand from Tim Moriarty that Steve Mollica shared his sense that the UL was on the verge of announcing a new site at the Rebecca Johnson meeting. Can someone from the law department please elaborate for those who were not at that meeting? Might Steve Jablonski's drawings be posted on the MS library webpage?
From: Liz Stevens, Chair Mason Square Library Advisory Committee: Comments on two library meetings: (1) Steve Mollica indicated that some of the locations that the UL was considering were being kept confidential - even from Steve. (2) The drawings on the webpage is a great idea. It will help people begin to see this as a library. Piloting self checkout is one of the plans for the Mason Square Branch. There will also be a computer stocked room for Job Resources as well as many other computers available in the main area of the library. Read Write Now has decided to stay put so Mason Square will have a community room again for the first time in a long time. Steve J. has a plan for the children's room that will honor Annie Curran in a way that she did not plan but in a way that she deserves given how many times she has helped the neighborhood library.
From: Molly Fogarty, Director, Springfield City Library: Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2010: [Springfield City Library is] planning to set up a page on our Website, similar to the one that we had for the Forest Park Renovations. We will post the plans, updates, photos, details of the renovation, etc. This is a very exciting time and we plan to keep the community as well as our staff informed of the progress as we prepare to open a full service Mason Square Branch. Thanks to Liz Stevens for that excellent report.
Commission meeting (May 5) and presented preliminary drawings for the full service Mason Square Branch. Liz Stevens attended the Commission meeting.We met with a Representative from Tucker Library Interiors on Thursday at Mason Square to select furniture and shelving for the Library. Please contact me if you have any questions.
From: Robert Warren, City Law Dept.: The City's relocation consultant, Steve Mollica, has informed me that there have been no new developments this week.
From: Sheila McElwaine, former Library Commissioner: I understand from Tim Moriarty that Steve Mollica shared his sense that the UL was on the verge of announcing a new site at the Rebecca Johnson meeting. Can someone from the law department please elaborate for those who were not at that meeting? Might Steve Jablonski's drawings be posted on the MS library webpage?
From: Liz Stevens, Chair Mason Square Library Advisory Committee: Comments on two library meetings: (1) Steve Mollica indicated that some of the locations that the UL was considering were being kept confidential - even from Steve. (2) The drawings on the webpage is a great idea. It will help people begin to see this as a library. Piloting self checkout is one of the plans for the Mason Square Branch. There will also be a computer stocked room for Job Resources as well as many other computers available in the main area of the library. Read Write Now has decided to stay put so Mason Square will have a community room again for the first time in a long time. Steve J. has a plan for the children's room that will honor Annie Curran in a way that she did not plan but in a way that she deserves given how many times she has helped the neighborhood library.
From: Molly Fogarty, Director, Springfield City Library: Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2010: [Springfield City Library is] planning to set up a page on our Website, similar to the one that we had for the Forest Park Renovations. We will post the plans, updates, photos, details of the renovation, etc. This is a very exciting time and we plan to keep the community as well as our staff informed of the progress as we prepare to open a full service Mason Square Branch. Thanks to Liz Stevens for that excellent report.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Weekly MSL Update & Library Commission meeting May 5
I'm forwarding the weekly update from the Law Dept. In addition, I want to remind everyone that Steve Jablonski will be attending the Library Commission Meeting on Wednesday, May 5 to present the initial design for the Mason Square Branch for community input.. Please plan to join us.
I attended the City Council Sub-Committee meeting at the Rebecca M. Johnson School. Steven Mollica stated that the Urban League may be announcing their new location in the next couple of weeks. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Molly Fogarty, Director, Springfield City Library
From: Robert Warren, Springfield City Law Dept. - Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 2:51 PM: As you are aware, combined City Council sub-committees, held a meeting, on April 28th, 2010, at the Rebecca M. Johnson school, on the issue of the acquisition of the Mason Square Library and the relocation of the Urban League. At the meeting was the City's relocation consultant Steven Mollica, who provided an update as to its present status and answered questions from the sub-committee members and public on the relocation process.
Presently, there is nothing further to report, except that the 30 day notice informing the Urban League that the premises should be vacated on or before June 1, 2010 and assessing a use and occupancy fee effective June 1, 2010 was sent.
I attended the City Council Sub-Committee meeting at the Rebecca M. Johnson School. Steven Mollica stated that the Urban League may be announcing their new location in the next couple of weeks. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Molly Fogarty, Director, Springfield City Library
From: Robert Warren, Springfield City Law Dept. - Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 2:51 PM: As you are aware, combined City Council sub-committees, held a meeting, on April 28th, 2010, at the Rebecca M. Johnson school, on the issue of the acquisition of the Mason Square Library and the relocation of the Urban League. At the meeting was the City's relocation consultant Steven Mollica, who provided an update as to its present status and answered questions from the sub-committee members and public on the relocation process.
Presently, there is nothing further to report, except that the 30 day notice informing the Urban League that the premises should be vacated on or before June 1, 2010 and assessing a use and occupancy fee effective June 1, 2010 was sent.
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