By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer
CHAPEL HILL — Over the weekend, there were rumblings of a possible deal with University Mall owners Madison Marquette and the Town of Chapel Hill that would move the public library to the Dillard’s space.
By Monday, it was much more than a rumble, as Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt circulated the company’s offer and estimates, along with a request that it be added to that evening’s town council agenda.
After a lengthy discussion Monday night at Town Hall, the council opted to give Town Manager Roger Stancil 60 days to explore the deal, reconcile differences in estimates between the mall owners and the preliminary numbers from the town and look at the obligations of a “condominiumized†space at the northwest end of the mall.
Madison Marquette’s proposal would turn over to the town 52,000 square feet of floor space, with additional space needed to be constructed for a mezzanine level. The company is asking for $4 million for the space and estimates the cost of the mezzanine and upfit at $6.23 million. A $1-per-square-foot common-area maintenance fee would also be assessed.
Stancil’s estimate is somewhat higher, but both estimates fall well below the cost of an expansion of the current public library. Bonds for the $15.5-million project approved by voters in 2003 were recently sold. Stancil said the funds could be used for the mall project. The move would also eliminate the $800,000 estimated cost of renting a space during construction, he said.
In a memorandum to the council outlining the initial negotiations and early reactions of the town’s library board, Kleinschmidt cited the potential to save $4 million to $5 million and reduce the town’s bond debt as well as ample parking and transit access as key reasons for taking a hard look at the idea.
At Monday’s meeting, he said even if it’s ultimately rejected it would not lead to a serious delay in the library expansion. “If we chose not to do this, we get back on track very quickly,†he said.
Several council members expressed caution but agreed it was worth taking time to explore the idea.
Council members Jim Ward and Gene Pease both said they were worried that the deal appeared “too good to be true,†and the obligations to the mall should be thoroughly explored.
Council member Sally Greene said she wanted to see more details about how the space would be designed. The library expansion contemplated at the current site was the result of a long process and would not be able to be transferred to the new space.
“I don’t know how we can quickly replicate that through a fast-track process,†she said.
Library supporters said they endorse taking a look at the project. George Cianciolo, president of the Chapel Hill Public Library Foundation, said his board also supports taking a look.
Some library patrons said they had concerns about the site.
Lynne Kane said the wide expanse of parking lot at the mall is a far different setting than the wooded location in Pritchard Park and asked the council to consider the surroundings.
Also in the mix is a decision on what would become of the public library building should its functions move to the mall.
Stancil has proposed that the town’s parks and recreation and police departments be considered for the space.
He is expected to have a report on the proposal ready for the council by Feb. 14.

Seems like an excellent idea so far. Certainly worth looking closely at all the fine print.
A police department? What is to become of the 30 acre park? This is honestly the scariest and most ridiculous proposals I have ever witnessed.