Maria Eschen
Agree! K. Kustra is correct! The Cabin needs to be incorporated, not moved. Simple reason for me: I served on the board soon after the millennium and worked to raise funding (quilt sales, etc.) for remodeling and expanding the historic building for ADA compliance. This included adding a 3-level elevator (about $80.000) so folks like my younger sister and Marilyn Shuler and many others could enjoy this remarkable public building so close to the Library.
Thanks for listening,
Maria Eschen

David Klinger
The new design respects neither the Greenbelt not the Boise River. Its massive, overbearing face overwhelms, rather than complements, its southerly riverfront. A south-facing, four-story glass walled-atrium is setting up a huge temperature control problem — in summer, that facade will be broiling (something that most Boiseans understand, but that maybe Massachusetts architects don’t). A plate-glass, walled front opposite a river corridor heavily used by waterfowl and songbirds has the potential to become a “killing machine” for birds, especially considering how the new library’s rooftop gardens will further lure birds and set up the very real possibility of needless bird strikes, subjecting the City of Boise to possible violation of Federal and state wildlife laws when it is possible to re-orient the new structure to diminish or eliminate such a deficiency. Did the architect spend a morning sitting on the front lawn of “The Cabin” studying the heavy movement of geese, ducks, raptors, and songbirds between the river and Julia Davis Park? If so, he would have understood that plate glass facades are going to create problems.

Scott K.
I'd like to see a "going back to basics" approach to the library. We should ask ourselves is this a library that we're building, or a building complex that happens to incorporate two separate buildings that may or may not be necessary? It's a completely different situation when say a private developer like Gardner builds a facility that incorporates public elements like a transit center. When a city takes the lead, questions arise as to whether this is the most cost effective way to attain a goal. Do we need another event center given existing and planned venues? Does the Boise Arts and History department need its own building? Don't get me wrong I support culture, the arts, history, as well as, libraries, but I would be hesitant to help support and fund a complex that seems more than the simple task of modernizing a place to do research and find research materials and archives.

Kay Hummel
Please redesign the site plan with more simplicity to meet customers’ true needs. Substantially downsize the northern entrance plaza along River Street and move the building north. A smaller plaza would allow retention of The Cabin, which plays a vital role in the cultural district. The proposed 20,000 sq.ft. outdoor plaza is not useable at least 7 months of the year, whereas other Library functions are needed year-round. There is adequate green space with the 2 rooftop outdoor gardens and other open space indicated on the west side. While the design is initially exciting, I urge reconsideration of truly necessary library functions vs. some community “priorities” listed. For example, a “connection with the River” does not merit top priority when there is abundant access to the Boise River at many nearby locations. Our Library’s two highest functions are library services and space for the Arts and History Dept. Focus on these functions, and proper design will follow. Likewise, I am unclear on the necessity for ‘maker spaces.’ Given the under utilization of Jump’s maker spaces, this is a head scratcher. Adequate parking and auditorium space are the next highest functions that must be designed for, again more vital year-round than a cement-clad plaza (which also will be too hot in two summer months, essentially a baking, reflecting desert). Citizens are not excited about paying for more outdoor gathering spaces when the Downtown core provides ample outdoor sites nearby – Julia Davis, Ann Morrison, the Grove Plaza, and Jump.

Brooke O.
more shade, more trees, less windows/reflection and a more thoughtful timeless design

The existing library is great and is paid for! This new space is expensive and appalling. Progress is not always better!

Ule Gould
Less iconic, more modest

Scott K.
First of all, we are not Salt Lake City, nor should we try to be. There is a lot of wasted space and a lot of concrete in the proposed designs. I'm not sure I would travel by foot, car or bike to a building that doesn't fit in well with its surrounding environment and seems to wall itself off from what makes Boise so nice - 8th street, the river, and views of the Statehouse, Depot, and Foothills.

M. Thomas
I would like to see a detailed breakdown of the $85 million proposed budget including how much has already been spent on the project; costs of renovation versus demolition; full disclosure of the architectural services selection process including financials; and transparent and complete breakdown of funding (including clarification of the $46.8 million from Tax Support and $22.2 million from Partnerships/Donations listed on p. 187 of the FY2019 City Budget). In the concept presentation to City Council in December 2017, a line item of $4.1 million for renovation of the existing warehouse was included as part of an overall proposed budget of $63.7 million that included $10.5 million for a parking garage and $10.7 million for event space & equipment. Nothing was mentioned about The Cabin at that point. How did that jump to complete demolition and an $80-85 million budget plus a separately funded parking garage?

The entire thing is cost prohibitive.

Kevin Brandt
There is no information about parking, none is shown in the drawings and the in the paper it has been stated that underground parking is cost prohibitive. There is extremely limited off-site parking in this area. I'm concerned that vanity and design has taken first place over function.

What is the obsession with collaborative meeting spaces? We already have rooms for that in the current library .

Brooke O.
too flashy and does not compliment the environment or other buildings nearby.

Chryssa Rich
No, I think the wall of windows will kill too many birds.

Carole Whiteleather
Forgot to explain my reasons regarding The Cabin. As the former Director of Education for The Cabin, I must stress the importance of the location for one of the most dynamic programs, Summer Writing Camps. Students need the access to nature, the museums, zoo and downtown for the various writing assignments and camps in which they participate. When we re-designed the camps from a small three week window to a full summer of offerings, many more students have enjoyed this opportunity. Moving The Cabin could be detrimental to this wonderful experience for kids. Thank you for your consideration of my comments.

Lynette Daudt
Mitigate = make less severe, serious, or painful. How about a non-all glass design. This is not appropriate design in a century moving toward sustainability. Insulate with thick solid walls. Use solar panels on the roof. Have large windows but not walls of glass.

Alex Takasugi
I would like to see thought and effort put into preventing bird collisions with all the glass window space. The American Bird Conservancy has ideas here: https://abcbirds.org/program/glass-collisions/learn-more/ Check out the "Resources for Architects, Planners and Develpers" section.

agreed

The existing library has everything I want and , oh yeah, It's already paid for! And the amount of money for the new space is obscene.

No

I think it replaces a really nice historic building along the river (log cabin) and eats the space up like a hungry monster.

I will always check out books.

I would be too afraid, it is a large impersonal horrible modern building. I prefer the brick warehouse, it's cozy.

more books, no robotic arms. I like reading and browsing the stacks...if you take that away you takeaway an essential part of the whole library experience for someone like me who spends hours a day reading.

I need more information to decide

too big