Work is completed on the renovation of Downtown Library on Forest Avenue. The library reopened July 16, 2011. Read the final Construction Update for Downtown.
Construction of the new 56,000 square foot Mitchell Park Library & Community Center began in September 2010. When completed and open to the public in the winter of 2012, the new building will feature a two-story library and a single story community center built around a beautiful courtyard featuring an oak tree that was preserved. The City Council awarded the contract for the project to Flintco, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder. At $24.3 million, Flintco’s bid was 25 percent below the latest engineer’s construction estimate of $32.4 million. You can view the site using the Mitchell Park webcam, which is a live feed. Read the latest construction update. Join the 2011 Mayor Sid Espinosa and Library Director Monique le Conge in a walk-through of the project.
The design and construction documents for the renovation and expansion of Main Library continues. The design and possible site integration with the Art Center was discussed and reviewed in a community meeting, Architectural Review Board (ARB), Historic Resources Board (HRB), Library Advisory Commission (LAC) and Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC). See proposed Meeting Schedule for more information. Now available - latest construction update for Main Library.
Main is scheduled to close in the winter of 2012 and reopen in the winter of 2013. The improvements to Main include the addition of approximately 4,000 square feet to the current 26,300 sf library. A new wing with restrooms and a 100-person community meeting room will be added. Four small group study rooms will also be added to the building. The interior of the existing library will be reconfigured and totally upgraded with the addition of air conditioning. All the improvements will be made with consideration for the historic nature of the existing building. Read the Historic Structure Report here.
On December 6, 2010, City Council authorized using the Art Center auditorium as a Main Temporary Library. Design for those modifications is underway. The actual construction effort will be done in conjunction with the remodeling of the Art Center.
The cost of the work at the Mitchell Park Library & Community Center, temporary library, Downtown and Main libraries is funded by the $76 million bond measure (Measure N) passed in November 2008 by Palo Alto voters. In May, 2010, the City Council authorized the first issuance and sale of the Measure N general obligation bond in an amount not to exceed $60 million. In June, the City sold bonds that yielded $58.5 million for these projects. A property tax levy of $17.11 per $100,000 of assessed valuation was established by Council in August to fund the debt service payments on the newly issued bonds. The renovation of the College Terrace Library is funded by $4 million in city infrastructure funds.
The Palo Alto Library Foundation has launched a $4 million campaign to pay for the new furniture, equipment, and books for the bond measure projects. State law prohibits the use of general obligation bond proceeds to fund the purchase of non-capital items.
Don't forget to visit our three other renovated library locations, Children's Library, College Terrace and Downtown Library.
