At least half the Southdale Library site in Edina is likely to be sold for development as part of the project to rebuild the library, according to plans presented Thursday to Hennepin County commissioners.
County officials prepared four alternatives for the future of the 7.7-acre site, which straddles the border of Edina and Richfield. The existing building opened in 1973, though the library occupies only a small part of it.
Of the four plans, officials recommended the option to build a two-story library on the northwest quadrant of the site, at the intersection of W. 70th Street and York Avenue. A lot with possible underground parking would border Xerxes Avenue.
The plan would include the sale of at least 3.9 acres on the southern half of the site for future development. The cost of the land is estimated at $2 million an acre, said Margo Geffen with the county's Community Works Department.
The county has budgeted an estimated $50 million to build the new library, which would measure about 55,000 square feet and be comparable in size to the current space. Minneapolis architecture firm MSR Design was selected to create the design.
Other proposals suggested limiting the library to one quadrant and selling the rest for development; having the library span more than half the property and selling the rest; and building a library on 5 acres while using the rest for parkland.
The recommended alternative includes building a trail to connect the library to Adams Hill Park just south of the site. Green space surrounding the library would be added, a request from library users. But County Board Chairwoman Jan Callison said the county "is not going to deliver a park to the city of Edina."
"I don't want people to walk away thinking we're overpromising on green space," she said. "There is an investment to be recouped here."