Nokomis Library closed for renovations

BY ED FELIEN

The Nokomis Library at 5100 34th Ave. S. closed Sept. 12 for renovation. It will reopen sometime in 2011. Until then there are expanded hours at the Roosevelt branch, at 40th Street and 28th Avenue. The renovations will include adding 4,300 square feet to the main floor and more computers.

Alfhough the funding for the renovation is somewhat murky, the City of Minneapolis had raised SI 30 million to pay for construction of the downtown library ($100 million) and for renovation of the branches ($30 million). The costs of the downtown library alone are now in excess of $ 1 40 million. According to local gadfly and budget critic Jason Stone, it is not clear if this additional $40 million will be assumed by Hennepin County taxpayers or will have to be paid by Minneapolis taxpayers alone.

The Nokomis Library renovation has been expanded by a third, and this expansion will be paid for by Hennepin County taxpayers (which include Minneapolis taxpayers), according to County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin.