St. Paul: Hamline-Midway Library to close May 28, with demolition this fall. Historic preservationists: No.

Frederick Melo, Pioneer Press
·3 min read

Two sides in an escalating fight over the uncertain fate of the Hamline-Midway Library launched separate salvos on Thursday, with the city announcing a closing date this month in advance of planned demolition, and historic preservationists organizing a party on the library’s front lawn in advance of likely legal action to stop it.

The St. Paul Public Library system issued a written statement Thursday indicating the library will close to the public on May 28 for decommissioning. All books and materials will be moved into storage over the course of several months in advance of demolition and construction of a new building, which could begin this fall and take up to 18 months.

The library system has $8.1 million, obtained through the city’s capital investment budget, to put toward a new structure, which was designed with greater accessibility for the disabled, safety features, community spaces and modern technology in mind, as well an outdoor reading garden and interactive children’s area.

“We are thrilled to be moving on next steps to deliver a brand new, state-of-the-art library for our community,” said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, in Thursday’s library announcement.

Historic designation

A new historic designation is already posing some complications.

In their announcement, library officials said they’re participating in an environmental review process with the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, as well as a separate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office regarding the structure’s historic status. That’s happening even as demolition is being planned.

“By moving forward now, and barring further delays, construction on the new library can begin before the snow flies again and before costs escalate,” said Beth Burns, president of the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, in their own statement to members this week.

The library, also known as the Henry Hale Memorial Library, Hamline Branch, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places three months ago, over the mayor’s objections, through the concerted efforts of neighborhood advocates and historic preservationists dubbing themselves “Renovate 1558.”

The coalition had scheduled a celebratory cake-cutting Thursday afternoon on the library lawn intended in part to kick off the next phase of its campaign, including “details about legal action that we believe will be necessary in order to prevent the building’s destruction,” according to their own written announcement.

Renovate campaign

Renovate 1558 recently issued a formal request to the city to evaluate the impacts of a potential demolition through an Environmental Assessment Worksheet.

Once completed, the public will have 30 days to comment on the EAW. Casting doubt on the process, members of the renovate campaign have already said they expect to appeal the findings to the St. Paul City Council, and from there possibly the courts.

In 1890, Hale, a St. Paul attorney, wrote into his will that funds from his estate should be used toward a free public library, but the branch at 1558 Minnehaha Ave. wasn’t constructed until 1930.

In addition to its red brick and limestone facade, historic advocates have taken note of its diamond-paned windows, carved stone rosettes, wrought iron lanterns and a stone medallion. A 2018 Historic Hamline survey identified the library as being worthy of further investigation, but stopped short of recommending a National Register nomination.

Architects have promised to incorporate several of the same elements into the new design.

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