Title
Substitute Resolution Accepting the Madison City Staff authored feasibility study for a rooftop intensive community garden and/or a green roof at the remodeled/renovated Madison Central Public Library.
Body
Whereas, the Madison Central Public Library is located at 201 West Mifflin Street, Madison Wisconsin. The original library was designed in the early 1960's and construction was completed in 1965. After 45 years the library is being remodeled to address issues associated with deferred maintenance, accommodate new uses such as computers and other technologies, and provide additional public and staff space. The 2010 and 2011 Capital Budget appropriation to build the remodeled library directed city staff to complete a feasibility study for a rooftop intensive community garden or green roof (see attached files Green Roof Feasibility Study 01-25-2011.pdf, Appendix I - City of Madison - Library Capital Budget Summary for 2010 & 2011.pdf, Appendix II - Sketch of general building area considered for roof top garden.pdf, Appendix III - Back-up for cost estimates.pdf, Appendix IV - Schematic Design Report &
Drawings.pdf, Appendix V- Madison Parks memo and flow chart information for community garden.pdf, Appendix VI - Brittingham Park Memo and Title Information for Community Garden.pdf, Appendix VIII - Olin Turville Park Memo & Title Information for Community Garden.pdf) and,
Whereas, the renovated/remodeled library will be approximately 118,000 square feet distributed across five floors above and below grade. The new third floor will be located at the existing roof level.
Approximately half of the third floor will be enclosed space accommodating meeting rooms, reading
areas, staff offices as well as other miscellaneous support spaces. The other half of the existing roof
level will remain as roof. This is the space addressed in the feasibility study for accommodation of the rooftop community garden or green roof, and,
Whereas, the design team led by Meyer, Scherer, & Rockcastle Architecture & Interior Design, have
completed the schematic design phase and have recently started the design development phase of the architectural design process. Currently there is no provision for an intensive green roof (i.e. rooftop
community garden) in the schematic design documents nor is there any direction from the City of Madison to MS&R to include this type of roof in the design development phase or any future design phases. There is an option in the schematic design documents to include an extensive green roof, and,
Whereas, outlined in the feasibility document the city staff acknowledges the benefits offered by a living roof of any type. However based on several major challenges staff recommends not to pursue an
intensive green roof (i.e. rooftop community garden) for the Madison Central Public Library remodel
project. City staff does recommend continuing to pursue an extensive green roof as an alternative
throughout the remaining design and construction bidding phases, and,
Whereas, as an alternative to a rooftop community garden on the central public library there are
possibilities for establishing a community garden in nearby Madison public parks as outlined in the body of this document and appendices V, VI, VII, and VIII, and,
Whereas, if the City decides/chooses the "extensive green roof" option, that it also aggressively pursue the development of community gardens in downtown parks, and,
Whereas, if the City is willing to consider the more "intensive" use of green roof space for community gardens, that it further investigate the following issues:
a. Reducing costs by reconfiguring the areas for planting and pathways,
b. Reducing costs by utilizing alternative security options,
c. Re-evaluating the lighting standard necessary for this use, and
d. Re-evaluating whether a third elevator would be necessary.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council hereby accepts the Madison City Staff authored feasibility study for a rooftop intensive community garden and/or a green roof at the remodeled/renovated Madison Central Public Library.
Fiscal Note
No expenditure is required to accept this study.