EMAIL SENT ON BEHALF OF WILLIAM B. WIENER, JR -CITY TRANSFERRING OLD LIBRARY BUILDING TO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

April 20, 2021

You do not know me, but I am a 84 year old third generation Shreveport citizen. I Graduated first in my class the last term at the Cornell School of Architecture and Urban Design. I have taken local government to courts (and prevailed) to protect our heritage and historic buildings. I was chairman of The Sec. of Interiors Advisory Board on National Parks and Monuments under both President Carter and President Reagan.

There are some things that I believe that should be addressed as to the transfer of the ownership of the cities’ old Library Building, now occupied by the Chamber as this is one of our crown jewels as an important building in the history our community.

Some of the material that I have seen indicates that it will be a gift while others indicate that it is to be sold. Either way there are procedures that under state law must be followed. Please let me know by email what is going on.

For your information, originally when the property was to be leased to the C of C, the City council made restrictions on what could and could not be done to the building. One of these restriction was that the two large rooms flanking the lobby could not be subdivided. One day when the doors were open, I went in to see what was happening. There was a set of plans on a table that I looked at. I was shocked to see that they were subdividing the big rooms. I contacted the C of C to address that this was in violation of what the city had stated. The C of C said that they were not doing this. BULL

As there were many folding tables there, I unfolded one end of each and stood them up vertically and placed them to indicate where the new walls were being proposed. Then I got people from the C of C to come see. The plans were revised and these rooms were preserved. Also I noted that they were proposing to remove the large doors with their semicircle top into the rooms. When I questioned this, they said that they were “old” and they could not get new ones like them made. I told them that there was a door manufacturing facility in Bossier that could make them. They were preserved.

As I understand it, the C of C would have the right to return the property to the city at anytime that they elected to do so. Imagine if there were unaddressed maintenance issues after a fire or from storm damage or neglect and they gave it back rather than addressing the problems. Also could return it if they were to expanding their mission and needing more space. The city would get the property back with costly unaddressed maintenance issues. This: Return / Sellback / Gift should not be included in any agreement.

Shreveport selling old library building to the C of C issues:

1.sThey could not sell to another entity, however they could sell to a public body with the restrictions running with the land.

2. The two large rooms on each side of the lobby must be retained. Cannot be subdivided !

3.-They must have fire insurance.

4.-They must have liability insurance of a minimum of $3,000,000.oo

5.-There must be a maintenance fund, that the C of C pays into each month.

Funds can be used only as noted in the transfer document.

6. Cannot enlarge the volume of the existing structure.

7. Cannot build another structure on the property.

8. Must maintain the green open space – N0 PARKING there.

9. No digital signs allowed.

10. Could not lease or rent any area to any other entity.

The city attorney should publicly address in writing the above issues as: to or not to, but with supporting information. Please send me a copy of the appraisal to me when it is available.

If the chamber isn’t willing to accept the conditions listed above then there is something that is much better for the community both short and long term.

There is a greater opportunity if the old library becomes SRAC

What if this building was transferred to the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the two large rooms with high ceilings that flank the large lobby became real galleries. One could be for displaying local art work as a semi-permanent exhibit while the other could be for traveling shows. This building would be the regional art center. It has large exhibit spaces, is at the center of downtown and functionally is exactly what a civic art center should be. SRAC could then give up their two inappropriate sites to help facilitate this move.