1. DOWNTOWN LIBRARY FACILITY LIBRARY BOARD RECOMMENDATION
Introductory Remarks – Thanks for Board appt and to Candi
David R. Smith, Consulting Librarian
South of Library (Stockman Bank property/Dude Rancher/Methodist Church Parking)
Block North of Gazette
North of Lincoln Center
Round Bank Block
Gainan’s Project – CTA estimated $10.25 million, $4.5 million purchase price
2008 CIP – Library G.O. Bonds $13.3 million, FY2012
2009 Library Strategic Plan – Community Needs the Library can Address:
Need a strong library presence in the downtown
Multi-use/partnerships
Walkable
Transit oriented
Accessible
Parking
Gathering space
safe
Committee met over the past 8 months to evaluate potential sites
City Council Work Session
October 18, 2010

2. Downtown Library Facility Committee
Charlie Hamwey - Ward I Tom Binon - Ward II Bruce Simon - Ward III Jani McCall - Ward IV Dick Clark - Ward V Nicki Broch - Friends of the Library Paul Miller - Library Foundation Chris Schmechel - Library Foundation Bernard Rose - Library Board (City) Betty Richardson - Library Board (County) Mike Schaer - Downtown Business Ken Kunkel - Real Estate Kathy Kelker - Education (Head Start) Eakle Barfield - Education (MSU-B) Steve Zeier - Economic Development (BSEDA) Lisa Harmon - Economic Development (DBA)
Facilitators:
Candi Beaudry, Planning Director
Bill Cochran, Library Director
1 representative per ward
City and County representation from Library Board
2 representatives from Library Foundation
2 reps from Realestate
2 reps from downtown business
MSU-B
BSEDA

3. Planning Process Data Gathering Determine Site Evaluation Criteria
Potential site locations
Site information
Determine Site Evaluation Criteria
2009 Library Strategic Plan
2010 Library Site Evaluation Criteria Survey
Site Selection
Site Evaluation Criteria Form
Scoring/Ranking
Site selection/recommendation
50 parcels were identified by committee to evaluate
Information on parcels was obtained from Property Tax Detail
The criteria used to evaluate the site was developed from public input

4. Downtown Area
In addition, the old Gibson’s building and Cine7 building, along with Pioneer Park and a site on 1st Avenue S were discussed even though they were outside the downtown area

5. Evaluation Criteria Survey
18 questions
Demographic information
Current library usage
Location and amenity preferences
Statistically valid and demographically representative
317 completed telephone surveys, 83 internet surveys
95% confidence interval
Age of survey respondents slightly higher than Billings population, not statistically significant
Fewer respondents in the two lowest education group than the population at large, statistically significant.
36% households contained children under 21 years old
92% respondents lived in Billings for over 5 years
84% of respondents with landline phone also use cell phone
15% of total used cell phone ONLY

6. Distribution of respondents by area code closely matched distribution of Billings’ residents.

7. Survey Results – Preferred Location
Library Use
25.8% - never
11.5% - Once
31.8% x
31% - >10x
Library Access
75% - car
9.2% - walk
3.7% - bike
2.8% - bus
Almost 60% of respondents preferred the existing location/central core to any other downtown location.

8. Survey Results – Preferred Amenities
Key amenities to include:
Parking lot
Book drop
Bus stop
Bicycle rack
Passenger dropoff
Outside gathering space
Greenspace
Library should be located near:
MET transit center
Schools
Parking garage
Museum
Park
Restaurants
If yes or maybe for shared facility, then classrooms, museum, childcare center, city offices,
parking garage.
Shared Facility? 46% - NO 38% - MAYBE 11.8% - YES

9. Evaluation Criteria Size – 50 points Proximity – 30 points
Minimum lot size – 21,000 s.f. (11)
Minimum on-site parking – 33,000 s.f. (9)
Book drop, bicycle rack, passenger drop-off, gathering space, greenspace (8, 7, 6, 5, 4)
Proximity – 30 points
MET Transit Center (7)
Educational Institutions (6)
City Parking Garage (5)
Museums (5)
City Park (4)
Restaurants (3)
Location – 40 points
Existing Site (40)
Central Core (37)
West Downtown (33)
East Downtown (30)
Minnesota Ave. H.D. (27)
North Park Area (24)
Outside Downtown (0)
Accessibility – 20 points
Vehicle Access (8)
Walkability (5)
Bicycle Access (4)
Transit Access (3)
Scores for Location Criteria are based on the order of preference for each individual item listed. The preference order is based on the results of the survey.
Scores for Accessibility Criteria are more or less subjective and will be assigned by the committee. Attributes to consider:
Vehicle Access – is the site adjacent to a through-street? Two-way street may be better than one-way street.
Walkability – does the site have connecting sidewalks?
Bicycle Access – is the site adjacent to a designated bike route? Is it adjacent to a street with a striped bike lane?
Transit Access – is the site adjacent to a bus route or a bus stop?
Scores for Size Criteria consider the overall size of the lot and each item is considered in sequence. If the minimum lot size meets or exceeds 21,000 sq. ft. (size needed for a 2-story library) it receives a score of 11 points. If there is any area remaining after subtracting 21,000 sq. ft. for the minimum lot size, then the following points are assigned:
On-site parking >33,000 sq. ft. ( sq. ft/space)
Book Drop >800 sq. ft. (minimum 20 ft X 40 ft area)
Bicycle Rack >400 sq. ft. (minimum 20 ft X 20 ft area)
Passenger Drop-off >800 sq. ft. (minimum 20 ft X 40 ft area)
Landscaping > 10% of total lot size
Gathering space >10,000 sq. ft. (minimum 100 ft X 100 ft area)
Off-Site Parking? Yes/No
Existing Structure? Yes/No
Availability? Yes/No/UK
Other Factors?

10. Scoring and Ranking Parmly Billings Library – 140 points
5th Ave N. & 23rd, 24th Streets East – 113 points
Aldrich Lumber – 104 points
Underriner Parcels (s. of 6th Ave N.) – 98 points
Underriner Parcels (n. of 6th Ave N.) – 98 points
Perfect score = 140 points
Lowest score = 42, 0 for properties outside of downtown

11. Library Board Recommendation
Library Board recommendation is to accept the donor’s lead gift and stipulations for a new building and direct staff to obtain former Underriner property.
This size property permits new construction as well as renovation
Use site for parking, greenspace/gathering space
Remain in existing building during construction
Purchase 3 parcels (Billings Clinic), exercise option with Stockman Bank for parking.
Total square footage: 107,860

12. Property Owned/Optioned
Remodel existing building
No property cost – exercise option with Stockman Bank for north parking lot
This size property permits new construction as well as renovation
Relocate during remodel
Total square footage: 69,420

13. Options 13