Seattle libraries' 'Friends' may lose book-sale site

For the past 11 years, the Friends of The Seattle Public Library has held its twice-yearly used-book sale in Building 30 at Magnuson Park.

But now the city says the building needs so much work, the Friends and other groups that use the building may get kicked out.

These groups have been allowed to use the old hangar as a "nonconforming use," meaning the building didn't meet city standards.

For the past decade the Seattle Parks Department has had an agreement with the city Department of Planning and Development and the Fire Department that events in the building could continue as long as the Parks Department continued to make improvements, said Dewey Potter, Parks spokeswoman.

The city replaced the roof, did some seismic work, replaced some doors and upgraded the fire system. But the other items on the list to bring the building up to structural, electrical and mechanical code are too expensive, Potter said, and the city doesn't have the money.

That means some of the nonprofits that use the building, such as the Friends, may need to find a new venue.

Potter said the planning department is proposing that seven groups be allowed to use the building next year, including the Friends for the book sales, but in 2012 the number would shrink to four groups.

Bryan Stevens, spokesman for the planning department, said the city inherited the Magnuson Park buildings from the federal government in the late 1990s, and because they are old buildings they require work to meet current codes.

"Temporary use of the space is allowed, but as events become more frequent, seismic upgrades need to continue," Stevens said. "Without the upgrades, only a limited number of events can occur in 2011."

Mayor Mike McGinn had proposed renovating Building 30 by using the $8.5 million the Museum of History & Industry has agreed to lend the city. However, the City Council on Friday voted instead to use the money to restore community-center hours and other popular services.

In his blog, McGinn said more than 35 events have been scheduled in Building 30 each year, which generate about $121,000 for the city. "The loss of this ongoing revenue couldn't come at a worse time," McGinn said. "It will mean even deeper cuts to Parks budget."

Before the City Council's budget vote Friday, McGinn in his blog had said he thought the two-year, interest-free loan from the museum, which was negotiated by Councilmember Nick Licata, was a bad deal for the city, but he added, "Councilman Licata's loan concession does give us an opportunity to make a smart investment with this $8.5 million loan that will actually pay us dividends for many years to come."

In a letter to library supporters, McGinn wrote that 38 events had been scheduled in Building 30 for next year, and most will now be turned away. "Now that our use of the building has been restricted, this effectively punches a $100,000 hole in the 2011 budget," McGinn wrote.

He had proposed spending $4.4 million to make the needed safety improvements and $4.1 million to create work space for artists in the hangar. He said those improvements would have brought in about a half a million dollars annually.

"As far as Building 30 goes, it's a continuing responsibility," said City Councilmember Jean Godden. "In the short term, we hope to find space for some events at other city facilities, the Seattle Center or elsewhere."

Joan Amatucci, who runs the book sale for the Friends, said she doesn't know where else her group could hold its big event. From book-sale profits, the group has given more than $1 million over the past five years to the Seattle Public Library to pay for programs not covered by the city's general fund.

"This is a unique space, and there's nothing comparable for groups that can't afford the convention center," said Amatucci, adding that about 7,000 people visit Building 30 for each library sale.

"The irony is, this place is generating revenue for the Parks Department, for the city, for the library and for other nonprofits. It's a revenue-generating enterprise," she said. "It would be a real shame to lose this. How many airplane hangars are there around?"

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com