Saint Paul’s Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) Committee is reviewing city department requests for major funding. There are many deserving projects on the list that include bridges, a fire station, libraries, an east side police station and more.  The CIB will rank all projects and see how many can be funded, and what projects have the greatest impact.

The Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) is seeking CIB funds that puts the future of the iconic historic Hamline Midway Library at risk of demolition located at the corner of Minnehaha and Snelling Ave. SPPL has submitted two options for consideration.  SPPL agrees that the current Hamline Midway Library is beautiful, and is full of historic charm, however they prefer the more expensive option – demolition and rebuild, erasing a beloved historic resource.

Your input will inform Saint Paul’s CIB Committee, City Council and Mayor Carter that you do not support the demolition of a historic library that would be three-times the expense of a remodel. The initial cost of renovation ($3.6M) is a bargain compared to building from scratch ($8.2M). 

Neighbors began advocating for a branch library in 1907. In 1908 neighbors began a small lending library in Mrs. Hull’s Millinery Shop which later became the Lloyd's pharmacy.  Lloyd's Pharmacy was destroyed during civil unrest that hit this neighborhood hard last May.  The owner elected to duplicate the historic blueprint of the building– supporting the historic character of the neighborhood.

The beloved Hamline Midway Library is an iconic neighborhood asset that deserved to be saved.