Friday, October 22, 2010

MSL WEEKLY UPDATES (OCT. 15 & 22)

Friday, October 22, 2010

From Molly Fogarty, Director, Springfield City Library: Attorney Pikula has been in touch with the City Relocation Expert, and the move of the Urban League to STCC is on track for the November 15th Deadline. The City is still working on the Use and Occupancy agreement. As soon as I have more specific information, I will let you know.
We will schedule a meeting with the Mason Square Advisory Committee in the very near future to plan for the grand opening celebration.

Friday, October 15, 2010
From Molly Fogarty, Director, Springfield City Library: The City Law Department has sent a counter offer to the Urban League offer for the use and occupancy agreement. I have requested and received a revised occupancy schedule from Steve Jablonski. Based on the Urban League vacating the space on November 15, the new opening date is planned for the week of January 24, 2011. We have updated the Mason Square Branch website.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

MSL Weekly Update

Friday, October 8, 2010

From Molly Fogarty, Director, Springfield City Library: Thanks to all of the wonderful and passionate library supporters at last Monday's [Oct. 5 City] Council meeting. An article in yesterday's Springfield Republican by Peter Goonan summarized the Council meeting. The following key points were addressed:
• The City Council will consider voting for immediate eviction of the Urban League at its November 8th meeting if the Urban League is not prepared to vacate by the new deadline, November 15.
• [City] Attorney Ed Pikula stated that eviction can be pursued under state law, with the [City Council] having the power to vote to issue a warrant to the sheriff to evict the tenant "forthwith."
• This item will be on the November 8th City Council meeting, for discussion and vote, if necessary.
• The [City] Council voted to accept $196,923 from the Springfield Library Foundation and $74,839 from the Springfield Museums Association, to pay for phase one renovations, furniture, shelving and equipment.
In addition:
• Roof repair will begin early next week. The delay is due to several days of rain this week.
• The vendors will store the furniture and equipment to accommodate a mid [to] late January opening.
• We plan to work with the Mason Square Advisory Committee to plan a major celebration, once the Branch is open. We welcome your suggestions!!
The Law Department does not have any further updates for this week.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

MSL Weekly Update

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2010

From Molly Fogarty, Director, Springfield City Library: Ed Pikula (City Law Dept) is not available today to send an update. I am sending you a summary of this week's activities related to Mason Square. If there are any further updates, I will forward those on Monday.
• The City Law Department has received correspondence from Craig Brown, Attorney for the Urban League. The letter states that the Urban League's delay in vacating the premises until November 15, 2010 is directly attributable to the unanticipated construction work that must be performed with respect to the leased space at STCC Technology Park in order to satisfy fire code requirements.
• This will delay the planned re-opening from November to January, which reflects the timeline provided by our Architect, Steve Jablonski. We have contacted the Vendor to let them know that we cannot accept delivery of the furniture and shelving, the week of November 8th as planned. There will certainly be financial considerations to consider, i.e. storage fees, which we will be investigating.
• A Use and Occupancy Agreement has been sent to the Urban League. (I will ask Ed Pikula to follow up on that issue on Monday.) It is my understanding that the Urban League has not paid any use and occupancy fees as of this date, but need confirmation from the Law Department.
• The City Council Veterans, Administration, and Human Services Committee discussed this updated information on September 29. Councilor Rooke attended the meeting. At the meeting Ed Pikula reported that an Eviction notice will not be issued to the Urban League at this time, but that the City Law Department reserves the right to revisit this, if there is any further delay.
• A financial order has been submitted to the City Council for the October 4th meeting, authorizing the Mayor to accept a Gift in the amount of $196.923.50 from the Springfield Library Foundation for the Mason Square Branch Library.
Please contact me if you have any questions.