George Michael says new library space would not be a basement, but a "lower-level" space in Union Square.
By: Carl Reader
NEW HOPE Developer George Michael presented his plan to the New Hope-Solebury Library board of trustees Feb. 13 for a space in his Union Square.
Yet to be built, the proposed space would be below the Michener Museum satellite in a building that also would contain retail shops and a spa, according to Mr. Michael.
Mr. Michael also deflected criticism the proposed space was "a basement," saying it was a lower level. He also deflected criticism it was purely a financial move on his part to offer the library space in exchange for the historic building on Ferry Street that currently houses the library.
"Somebody asked me today why I wanted the library," Mr. Michael said. "If I was only a financial person, I wouldn’t want the library nor would I want the Michener Art Museum. It’s not always about money. I think they can do wonders for the community, I think they can do wonders for Union Square, but they don’t do wonders for a financial statement. When you see the plans and what we have, we have changed these plans to work better for the library, (then) I think you’ll understand what I’m talking about."
With a floor plan shaped like home plate on a baseball field, the drawing Mr. Michael presented contained two window wells on one wall and one glass wall at the front facing out on to a courtyard reached by a circular staircase from above. The courtyard was described as "very dramatic" by Mr. Michael. Intersecting the glass wall at the front of the library on the lower level would be another glass wall with a corridor behind it.
"The expense that’s going to be generated to create this courtyard is going to be a significant expense," Mr. Michael said.
Mr. Michael’s assistant, Joanne Lutostansky, said there would be a separate entrance from the courtyard for the library and a handicapped-accessible entrance from above via an elevator into a lobby below. There will be 9-foot ceilings, according to Ms. Lutostansky, and the window wells would be "similar to a skylight situation." The windows in the front, she guessed, would be stationary.
"This Union Square space, with this courtyard, having developed the courtyard now, is going to be in excess of $750,000," Mr. Michael said. "I’m doing this as a like exchange. I will have some minor benefit from taxes, but I will have a tax benefit, yes. The only restriction I put on it is, that if the library sells it, I have to buy it back. They have to sell it back to me, and I will give the library $500,000. That’s a cap, because I’m going to have $750,000 in it. We have to be reasonable some place down the line."
Space at Union Square is going for approximately $215 per square foot, Mr. Michael said, and the library would be given a discount rate.
There will be no windows around the back, according to Mr. Michael, since "we’re too tight at the grade level." The finished space will be drywall with a suspended ceiling, drop-in lighting and air conditioning. Any special humidification, like the museum, would be done by the library. The library will be responsible for the floor coverings.
"The adjacent space was probably the biggest issue I had to deal with," Mr. Michael said.
Five thousand square feet would deal with the needs of the library, but it would not deal with the Saturday reading programs and other things the library might do, Mr. Michael added. He said he would allocate an additional 1,000 square feet adjoining the library. It would be for the exclusive use of the library, and under its control, with the caveat if the library was not using it, the Michener could do so.
"It will not be available for future expansion of the library," Mr. Michael said.
There also will be a nearby community room available for use by the library if no one else is using it.
"We need conference space facilities in the area," Mr. Michael said. "It’s good for community; it’s good for the restaurants."
Mr. Michael said he wanted to bring towns back to life Monday through Friday so they were not so dependent on the tourist trade, and the conference centers are used all day by people who spend money. Among them he listed were Merck and Johnson & Johnson.
"You will have a reduced condo fee of $100 per month," Mr. Michael said. "It will increase proportionally as other condo fees increase."
There will be 335 parking spots on site, Mr. Michael said, with 115 borough parking spots. Patrons of the library will have one-hour free parking as will anyone who comes to Union Square, Mr. Michael added. The library volunteers would park for free as will employees and staff of the shops in Union Square. There will be a sign on Bridge Street below where the sign for the Michener Museum is. Signs for the book sale in the courtyard he would have to think about, Mr. Michael said.
"Book sale signs can be addressed in other ways," board President John Blady said.
Where the book drop would be was an issue that would have to addressed, the board said, and it might need to be painted red with the video drop also an issue to be considered.
"Esthetics are my biggest concern here," Mr. Michael said.
Asked by the board about the issue of putting the library in a basement or cellar, Mr. Michael invited anyone to look at the lower level of his hotel in Lambertville. He said that has no windows and is close to architecturally perfect.
"It all depends on how you deal with the space," Mr. Michael said. "This is such a far cry from that because of the amount of glass we’ve put in the front here and the amount of window light we’ve brought in. This is a lower level at best."
Mr. Michael stressed the space is not a basement but a lower level and the best of a lower level, a courtyard level.
"I’m here to try to make sure that we have expressed to you exactly what the facts are so that everybody understands them so that I don’t have to read tomorrow in The Beacon or The Intell, whatever you might read that’s not true," Mr. Michael said.
Mr. Michael said he had spent $75,000 on evergreens and trees to screen out some buildings, but not the trains or walking trails.
In respond to a question as to what he would do with the current library property, Mr. Michael said he would sell it.
"What would be my first desire?" he said. "To convert it into a restaurant or residence and sell it."
He asked the board for a prompt answer to his proposal.