Gilroyans have a long wish list
– fixed sidewalks, a viable Gilroy Gardens, a revitalized
downtown, a new library, an arts center,
&
amp;#8194;a teen center, and much more
– and limited resources to make them realities.
How does this community get the biggest bang from limited dollars?
Gilroyans have a long wish list – fixed sidewalks, a viable Gilroy Gardens, a revitalized downtown, a new library, an arts center, a teen center, and much more – and limited resources to make them realities.
Given that, it’s time to think creatively and to leverage our spending to make sure that we get the maximum bang from our limited bucks. City leaders should seriously explore combining an arts center and library downtown and turning the old library into a teen center. The idea that has surfaced from the city – having an arts center that is built around a public-private partnership – is a good one. So, why not include the library?
Carefully examining wish lists and costs are crucial in tight times
The vision would include space for coffee shops, restaurants, and related retail to help defray the cost of building and operations. In addition, these the rampant “wants” on many backers’ must-have lists – an orchestra pit for the arts center springs to mind – must be reined in to reflect reality. How often is an orchestra pit used (or needed) at similar facilities in nearby communities such as Morgan Hill? Moreover, let’s examine the outrageous proposed cost per square foot of around $730. What’s driving that when many complicated buildings – like the Garlic Festival building going up downtown – are costing around $200 per square foot.
Whatever the ending cost per square foot, multi-use facilities can save money and, just as importantly, create win-win situations.
Multi-use facilities can provide a number of win-win scenarios
By placing both the arts center and the library on Monterey Street, the reasons for people to come downtown are doubled, increasing the progress toward revitalization. By combining the two facilities, the facility use percentage goes up, increasing the bang-for-the-buck-factor that’s so imperative in these difficult economic times. And, by remodeling the old library into a teen center, we cost effectively achieve a place for teens to gather, reducing the need for costly police services to deal with the results of bored adolescents, which can include vandalism, shoplifting, and drug and alcohol abuse.
We recognize that this proposal is not without its complexities. But dual-purpose buildings can hurdle limited resources and it’s time to get creative or the truth is we’ll get very little accomplished on our community wish list.
