Letter to the Editor: Words on the library from a former commissioner

Earlier this year on March 15, a record number of Winter Park residents went to the polls. For months leading up to this date I outlined, as a candidate for re-election, a vision for our city in candidate forums, mailers, residents’ homes and countless one-on-one encounters. When it became apparent on the evening of the 15th that a majority of residents did not share this vision, I phoned the new commissioner-elect and congratulated him. Was that difficult to do, yes. Was I disappointed in the outcome, yes…but that is how democracy works.

The issue addressing a proposed new library and events center at the current civic center location in Martin Luther King Jr. Park went through the same process. Those in favor and opposed had equal opportunity to present their visions. After reviewing all the points for and against this issue, a majority of residents voted to approve moving forward with securing the bonds necessary to make the vision of a library and events center of the future a reality for our community.

As with any vote, some people were disappointed with the outcome. And unfortunately this disappointment has manifested itself into a petition drive that will prevent the new library and events center from being built. While the city has ruled the petition drive invalid, in order to assure potential bondholders that the bonds and the location of the new library and events center are valid, the city of Winter Park has been forced to initiate a “bond validation” process. And, as with any legal action, time and money (in the form of legal fees) will be expended with the result being added cost to the tax payers.

What is far more upsetting to me is not the petition drive (legal or not), but the claim by the organizers of the drive that somehow the residents of Winter Park were misinformed and/or mislead by the Library Task Force and ultimately the City Commission.

As a commissioner I was involved with this process from the beginning and I find this line of thought both insulting and totally without merit.

During my six years on the Commission I can think of no other issue that was more thoroughly vetted than the library. A Library Task Force appointed by the Commission and comprised of residents from a broad cross-section of the city was engaged over 17 months to ascertain the validity of a new building and to identify the best possible location for said building should it be warranted. During this time frame a total of 35 public meetings were held seeking input on more than 15 different sites within the city. Once the civic center site in MLK Jr. Park showed promise, a two-day community charrette was held at the park to again obtain input from residents. This charrette was attended by scores of residents in person and hundreds participating online. After weighing all the options, the Library Task Force was unanimous in their recommendation of a new library and events center to be located at the civic center site in MLK Jr. Park.

As I watched the selection process narrow down to the park, I remembered back to a design studio in college where our professor encouraged us to think of parks not only as places of recreation but also re-creation; that parks, art, and education enjoyed a unique relationship. The ability of this new facility to relate to and enhance the experience of both library and park users is exceptional. The fact that this can be accomplished within essentially the same impervious footprint of the existing Civic Center speaks volumes about our community’s respect for our open spaces.

But the process did not stop with the Task Force. Their recommendation was just that, a recommendation. So it still had to undergo the scrutiny of the Commission and additional public input. Repeatedly during this phase, citizens approached the Commission wanting verification of where a new library would be located and repeatedly were assured that MLK Jr. Park would be the home for the new building should the bond referendum pass. The process took another step forward when a majority of the Commission voted to accept the recommendations of the Task Force and place the issue on the ballot for the residents of Winter Park to make the ultimate decision.

As I look back at the process, I struggle to find opportunities that were missed.

Each site that was examined had pros and cons but as each round of eliminations took place the current civic center site remained. The civic center site in MLK Park abuts Morse Boulevard along the traditional gateway to Park Avenue. The thought of extending the character of the avenue as opposed to hoarding it should be applauded not condemned.

As I mentioned earlier, the issue was subject to the same process that any candidate endures: months of scrutiny in the political arena. It was a question at every forum and information was provided on websites, in mailers, via phone calls and at meet and greets. Each side of this issue took advantage of every means possible to get their message out. If anyone feels uninformed I believe it is not from any form of misinformation but rather from not having taken advantage of the wealth of information that was presented during the campaign.

Finally, I end this with a call out to all the residents of Winter Park to join in embracing the new library and events center. No congratulatory phone calls are required, all that is needed is a willingness to become involved. I was privileged to attend a recent presentation by the Aspen Institute, a world renowned organization that is working with our community, to explore and develop programing for our library of the future. The possibilities are endless. This programing process will continue through additional community conversations, Commission meetings and design reviews, and all will be open to the public. Please take the time to get involved in your community, for it is that personal involvement that makes Winter Park the special place we all call home.