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City staff propose small‑scale amenities for South Broadway: Little Free Libraries and a possible pocket park on bank land
Summary
Parks and Recreation staff recommended low‑cost ‘Little Free Library’ installations and longer‑term land acquisition (including a BMO parcel) for a pocket park; acquisition would be expensive and might be leased first as a lower‑cost option
The new City Amenities strategy group recommended two priority projects for South Broadway: installing Little Free Libraries and pursuing land acquisition for a pocket or pocket parks to add green gathering spaces.
Parks, Recreation, Library & Golf Director Christina Underhill and resident Stephanie Brooks said Little Free Libraries would be low cost, could be stocked with donated books and provide a neighborhood amenity with opportunities for public‑private partnerships such as school art projects. Brooks noted the library could be quickly implemented and maintained at low ongoing cost.
For a larger amenity, staff identified a parcel of underused lawn between Western Sky and a BMO Bank building as a candidate for acquisition and conversion to a pocket park, and a separate 4900 block site with a billboard as another option. Underhill said the BMO parcel is privately owned and BMO has expressed only awareness of city interest; no commitment exists. Staff estimated acquisition plus improvements could be in the $600,000–$900,000 range for land and up to roughly $450,000 for enhancements.
Council members supported Little Free Libraries and urged staff to explore lower‑cost options for giving the corridor green elements right away. Mayor Pro Tem and others suggested leasing the BMO parcel as a pilot rather than buying it outright; staff said leasing and public‑private partnership discussions were possible next steps. Several councilors said major land acquisition should not be recommended without funding commitments and suggested using open‑space land‑bank funds only with careful vetting.
