HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdditional Items -9/30/2026 -Outlook
Re: Questions for Library Reuse Taskforce
From Glenn Newman
Date Thu 8/27/2026 8:59 AM
To Library Vision i ng < LibraryVisioning@ci.oswego.or.us>
Hello,
Kindly also share with the Task Forces and include in the public record my Opinion article from last
week's Lake Oswego Review. It is here:
httP.s://lakeoswegoreview.com/2026/08/15/oP.inion -lake-oswego-should -renovate -existing-library_-not
buj!d -a-new-one/
I also cut-and-pasted the text of the article below.
Thank you,
Glenn Newman
***********************
Lake Oswego Review OP.inion Article:
Submitted on August 9, 2026, by Glenn Newman
Published (with change of title and minor edits) on August 19, 2026, paper edition of the Lake Oswego
Review
Lake Oswego's Ballroom (uh, Library)
We want our leaders to be bold and forward -looking. Leaders want to leave a legacy of their time in
public office.
But in their desire for a legacy, some leaders confuse arrogance for boldness . And they too often equate
legacy with construction projects, the bigger the better.
The Pharaohs had their pyramids. Our president may soon have his Ballroom. And our city councilors are
rushing headlong to build their own monument, a new 60,000 plus square foot library and community
center in Lake Grove.
Lake Oswego has a library. A good one. Beloved . Our library is showing its age . It needs improvements,
seismic and otherwise. But nothing that can't be fixed with some tender loving care (according to the
City's 2024 assessment, the current building can be renovated and improved for $9.7-$10.SM ; not
chump change but a fraction of the cost of building a new library). Our existing Lake Oswego Library will
never be an imposing physical edifice . But it is, and can remain for years to come, a place for learning
and gathering.
To justify the demolition of the library and its relocation, our city leaders contend that the library should
be situated in a more central location. The city council may need to be reminded that, thanks to their
visionary efforts over decades, First Addition has become the beating heart of Lake Oswego in every way
except geographically. It's home to an ever-increasing number of restaurants, shops and multifamily
housing units, plus the newly remodeled Adult Community Center and Millennium Park with its popular
Farmer's Market and other events . First Addition is also the site of our new City Hall and the city services
it delivers. Apparently First Addition is the ideal location for everything ... except a library.
The other rationale given for demolition and relocation is that the current library is too small for our
town's current and projected needs. It is true that our cherished library gets a lot of use. Compared to
neighboring towns, our library might be on the smaller side on a square foot-per-resident basis. But
small doesn 't mean overcrowded . Our library is cozy. All the better for getting to know our neighbors.
Leaders should lead . But elected representatives in a democracy must first listen. The citizens of Lake
Oswego are not clamoring for a giant new library across town. Quite the opposite. When the City last
surveyed the populace in 2022 about the library 's future, the consensus was clear : renovate the existing
library (and, if feasible, add a branch on the westside).
So far our representatives have chosen to ignore the voice of the people. Instead they are advancing
with a heavy hand towards an oversized and costly new library. The City Council has established a
"Future Library Task Force" and a "Library Site Reuse Task Force" for community input but, as made plain
in their very names, both are premised on demolition and relocation. In other words, they are a sham.
In this age of grandiosity, runaway development (one wonders if this whole undertaking is a case of the
real estate development "tail" wagging the library "dog"), and authoritarian wannabeism , our city
councilors could instead lead with humility, small "c" conservatism , and democratic revival by acting to
preserve our much-loved current library. That would be a legacy worth having .
*********************
From: Library Visioning <LibraryVisioning@ci .oswego .or.us>
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 1:24 PM
To: Library Visioning <LibraryVisioning@ci.oswego.or.us>; Glenn Newman
Subject: Re: Questions for Library Reuse Taskforce
To clarify -the message you submitted has been shared with both the facilitator and the full Library Site Reuse
Task Force . Following the meeting, all public comments will be posted on the project website . Personal
information will be redacted before posting to protect individual privacy.
Library Visioning
Lake Oswego Publ ic Library
CitY. of Lake OswegQ
PO BOX 369 I 380 A Avenue I Lake Oswego OR 97034
503-697-6583
Respect. Excellence. Trust. Service.
From: Library Visioning <LibraryVis ioning@ci.oswego.or.us>
Sent : Tuesday, August 25, 2026 5:23 PM
To : Glenn Newman Library Visioning <libraryvision ing@lakeoswego.city>
Subject : Re : Questions for Library Reuse Taskforce
Than k you for taking the time to send your questions for the Library Site Re use Task Force. Community input will
be considered as the Tas k Force evaluates options and develops its recommendation s. Your message has been
shared with the facilitator and w ill help inform the Task Force's work.
Library Visioning
Lake Oswego Public Library
Q.tv of La ke os w e92
PO BOX 369 I 380 A Avenue I Lake Oswego OR 97034
503-697-6583
Respect. Excellence. Trust. Service.
From: Glenn Newma n
Sent : Monday, August 24, 2026 11:03 AM
To : Library Visioning <libraryvisioning@lakeoswego.city>
Subject : Questions for Library Reuse Taskforce
[You don't often get email from
htt12s:Ua ka.ms/Lea rnAboutSenderl dentification ]
Hello,
Learn why t hi s is important at
I have the following questions to the Libra ry Reuse Task Force for its public meeting on Wednesday.
1. The threshold issues are (i) whether demolishing and relocating the library is the best approach, and
(i i) whether the residents of Lake Oswego want to move the library at all. Please confirm t hat the Reuse
Task Force will engage on these threshold issues fir st and will not move to a possible reus e of the current
library site until and unless there is a co nsensus amongst the residents of town that they wish to
demolish and relocate the library and t his is indeed the best and wisest choice.
2. If the Reuse Tas k Force is not authorized to discuss whether demolition and relo cation of the library is
the best choice and whether doing so is supported by a majority of Lake Oswego residents, please
confirm that the members of the Task Force will insist that the City Council disband or suspend the
Library Reuse Task Force and the New Library Task Force until such time as it is established that the
demolition and relocation of the library is the best choice and is supported by a majority of Lake Oswego
residents.
Regards,
Glenn Newman
Lake Oswego Resident
PUBLIC RECORDS LAW DISCLOSURE This e-mail is a public record of the City of Lake Oswego and is
subject to public disclosure unless exempt from disclosure under Oregon Public Records Law. This email
is subject to the State Retention Schedule.
Outlook
Library Site Reuse Task Force Public Comment
From
Date Sun 8/30/2026 12:44 PM
To Library Vision i ng <libraryvision i ng@lakeoswego.ci ty >
[You don't often get email from Learn why this is important at
htt12s://aka .ms/LearnAboutSendeddentification ]
To the Task Force,
A number of years ago, this same question was before the City. At that time I was chair of the Evergreen
Ne ighborhood Association . My comment then was, and is the same now, please keep the library as
central as possible .
At that time I suggest ed exploring with the Bank of America, the purchase and re-use of their building on
the corner of 4th and A Ave.
1. Expansion is possible .
2. Seismic up-grade would probably be necessary, but would be possible.
2. There is lots o f parking .. more could be available with purchase of the pub property.
3. Across from City Hall.
4. Next to the fire station ... forming a sort of Civic Center.
5. It sort of looks like a library.
The existing l i brary ... instead of demolition ... with some imagination and probably a lot of money, could
be converted to a moderate income housing apartment build ing thereby keeping the fabric and integrity
of the neighborhood.
Please consider my comments.
Thank you, Paden Prichard
PUBLIC RECORDS LAW DISCLOSURE This e-mail is a public reco rd of the City of Lake Oswego and is
subj ect to public disclosure unless exempt from disclosure unde r Oregon Public Records Law. This email
is subject to the State Retention Schedule.
ih Outlook
Comments for the September 30 meeting of the Reuse Task Force
From DeMan Wka—
bere Men 9/29 M66:I5 PM
To Library Vw'onirg<LibmryYsiming@doiwego.erus>
[You don't often get email from—Learn why this is important at nrrmr//akam.n a=mnnnurseenn.innmifirasinn]
I am very disappointed that one of the Task Force members has already made a judgement about the condition of the library,and the status and results of
deferred maintenance.I'm also disappointed that he revealed the apparent plan to sell the library to the highest bidder as beneficial to developers but not fine
community.I thought you might be interested in my letter to the editor last week
Given this bias,I request that the task force recommeM that the existing library be studied as neireagined and renovated.
PUBLIC RECORDS IAW DISCLOSURE This email is a public record of the City of Lake Oswego and is subject to public disclosure unless exempt from disclosure
under Oregon Public Records Law.This email is subject to the State Retention Schedule.
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Don't move Lake Oswego Library
Lake Oswego's library should stay exactly where it is.The city ignored its own
consultants'and staffs recommendations to fix the seismic and maintenance
problems at the existing library and, if wanted and feasible, mayodd a branch
elsewhere.The only criteria for the"Reuse Task Force"ofthe existing site is
"generate revenues."This is a travestysince the library Istria heart of our city and
worrisome since the state wrested away local zoning control.
I cannot find analysis reimagining our library(e.g. closing off the atrium, moveable
stacks/sound proof partitions to create flexible spaces).The second group
identifying new site isn't considering vacant office space with parking—only the
$100 million palace. Extrapolated estimates suggest a full library renovation could
cost about$36 million. Ira smaller 10,0000-foot branch is feasible, available
commercial space with parking cou d be renovated for$1-2.5 million.Annual rental
cost would be in the range of$320,000 to 380,000—with maintenance the owners
responsibility—a cost to the city of$7.6 million for 20 years.This mitigates the risk
of electronic technology overtaking physical materials and is consistent with Lake
Oswego's sustainability ethos, The decision needs rethinking!
Deborah Linke
Lake Oswego