FAIRBANKS — People want trees at the Noel Wien Public Library. Real trees.
That much was made clear Tuesday at a public meeting to collect ideas for renovating the lobby.
About 30 people attended the meeting, including past and present library employees, members of the library commission and members of the Fairbanks Library Foundation.
Leaders at the Fairbanks North Star Borough called the meeting to address public concerns about lobby renovations.
Borough officials have said the time has come to cut down the four ficus benjamina, also known as weeping fig trees, that have adorned the lobby since 1977.
The trees have lived longer than expected and reportedly have become a fire hazard because they are growing too close to lights.
Cutting the trees has met with opposition, including a change.org petition to “Save the Noel Wien Library Trees.” Almost 350 people have signed.
Jody Hassel, a yoga and English instructor, started the petition.
When she heard the trees were to be cut down, she felt sad, she said.
“It is so rare and such a treat to come into a space that has deciduous trees,” Hassel said. “It feels nourishing and refreshing in the dead cold of winter.”
Greg Hill, who worked at the library for 23 years, including in the top job of director, said the trees are iconic.
“To me, the trees are part of the wonderful ambiance that you feel when you are walking into Noel Wien library,” he said.
Jim Williams, chief of staff at the borough, said he likes the trees, too.
“We can still have trees. Just not those trees,” Williams said. “We don’t want to burn the library down.”
Some people said they want to keep the same design in the lobby. They want the borough to replace the trees with new ficus trees.
involved lobby makeover is under consideration.
Design ideas presented at the meeting included new greenery, seating and wall panels.
Borough officials said they are looking to improve sound acoustics and to remove the grates at the base of the trees.
Noise carries from the lobby deep into the library, especially when there are special events that draws crowds, library employees said.
Officials want to remove the grates at the base of the trees because canes and small feet sometimes get stuck in them.
Posters with different design ideas were hung around the library auditorium. People were encouraged to write comments and share ideas.
The photos showed various types of greenery, including plants, trees and “sculptural trees,” or art made to look like trees.
Some photos showed walls of greenery. Another design idea showed plants hanging down from a skylight.
“Real trees, please,” was written in multiple places on the poster with the sculptural trees.
A lobby renovation survey was also on hand. The survey is available on the borough website at www.co.fairbanks.ak.us.
The borough is accepting ideas and comments on the proposed lobby renovation until Dec. 5, Williams said.
After that, ideas will be incorporated into three designs. The designs will be presented at a second public meeting Jan. 10, Williams said.
Contact staff writer Amanda Bohman at 459-7587. Follow her on Twitter: @FDNMborough.
