Indianapolis PL Project Examined
Newspaper criticizes board; new leaders say they’re looking ahead
By Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 9/1/2006
New leaders say they’re looking ahead After a thorough investigation of the Central Library expansion project of the Indianapolis–Marion County Library, which is $50 million over budget and has been delayed by two years, the Indianapolis Star concluded that the board above all made a poor decision regarding construction. The newspaper said in an editorial that the board “could have saved itself and the community tons of grief and expense by appointing a general contractor rather than keeping its own hands on the project and settling for a hired construction manager.”
Even as lawsuits swirl concerning defects and cost overruns, the revamped Central Library should reopen in December 2007, about six months earlier than the previous prediction of mid-2008—but far later than the original plan to finish by January 2006. While the library was expected to cost $102.7 million, it is now estimated to cost $153.6 million.
The library’s facilities manager recommended bringing in a general contractor, the Star reported. Two board members, however, pushed hard for a construction manager, and those two board members had ties to firms that later were hired for the project. One of those board members is the subject of a current grand jury investigation. The library now must borrow up to an additional $45 million; the library board is expected to raise property taxes.
Leaders vs. staff
A letter signed by library CEO Linda Mielke and the library board congratulated Star reporter Kevin Corcoran and said, “What can clearly be seen as missteps and errors in judgment have led to significant alterations in how the library does business now.” New leadership, they said, has gotten the project back on track, and “the board and staff have reduced operating overhead without cuts in service,” even as circulation grows.
Some of those changes have not sat well with staff. Some 50 library employees demonstrated inside and outside the library board’s July meeting, chanting “Recognition now,” though the board is not required to recognize the union. Advocates say that 65 percent of 300 salaried employees support unionization. The board plans to cut staffers’ customary two percent raises in half, the Star reported.
Szynaka to Peoria
Former library CEO Edward Szynaka, who pushed for the revamped Central Library and was fired by the board in 2003, was, according to his supporters, a whistle-blower who tried to stop the board’s excesses. He was recently hired by Peoria Public Library, IL, and local officials told the Peoria Journal Star that they believed his dismissal was political.
