"We should show our respect for the past by....doing a better job of taking care of what we have. We don't just start over from scratch... throwing away everything from our past. Instead, we renew. We revitalize. We transform." Santa Cruz Mayor David Terrazas 12/20/17
The City of Santa Cruz has proposed to relocate the Santa Cruz Downtown Public Library into the ground floor of a new five story parking garage. Click HERE to see the initial drawings of the proposed new facility.
Our Purpose - Keep the library at the Civic Center
Don't Bury the Library! speaks for 146 residents opposed to the relocation of the Downtown Library Branch into a new 5 - 6 story parking garage on Lot 4, bordered by Lincoln, Cedar and Cathcart Streets, where the Farmers Market currently meets. We want to maintain the Downtown Library in its present location as an integral part of the Civic Center.
In the spirit of voter approved Measure S, Don't Bury the Library! supports the only option for the downtown library that is within its original $27 million budget: Keep the Downtown Library Branch in its current location -- remodeled, renovated, revitalized, and renewed. Jayson Architecture's Final Report (November 22, 2019) presents an example of a remodeled (rebuilt), renovated, and revitalized Downtown Library building.
Our Original
Blueprint for A Restored and Revitalized Downtown Library for the 21st Century and Beyond Submitted to the City Council on January 24, 2019 According to a substantial report commissioned for and received by the city, our downtown library is seismically sound (see Seismic Evaluation of the Santa Cruz Downtown Library by Fratessa, Forbes, Wong, Structural Engineers October 31, 2014).
The downtown library as an institution and community resource can easily stand on its merits. It contains 44,000 sf of usable space, though the space is in need of some reconfiguration for best use by staff and patrons. Prior to Measure S (2016), there had been no community request for it to be moved to a different location or wedded to a garage, commercial space or housing project. OBJECTIVE: The downtown library is repaired, upgraded, and revitalized, with project components prioritized to meet the budgeted $28 million allocated from Measure S funds. Step 1 Council directs staff to work with the Library Director to prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) to be issued statewide or even nationwide, for renovation of the downtown library.
Reconfiguration of floor plans as needed Installation of roof top solar panels, including roof preparation work Repair, upgrade or replace air handling system Replacement of heating, cooling and branch ducts ADA bathrooms Other plumbing repairs and upgrades as needed Electrical upgrades New paint and flooring where necessary Security and safety features where needed (Escalation costs) All Soft Costs, including: Computers and printers AV equipment Library graphics and signage Moveable furnishings and equipment Public Art Step 2 Council directs staff to work with the Library Director to investigate options for temporary housing of essential library services, during eventual reconstruction activities. Included in the investigation can be portions of unoccupied commercial buildings and/or a temporary structure to be installed on the current library parking lot. Step 3 Assuming proposals are received, council directs staff to work with the Library Director to present to council and the public a prioritized list of project components if all components cannot be implemented within the $28 million restoration budget. Conclusion We know there is great public support for this unique opportunity to upgrade and beautify the downtown library, for all residents, present and future. The DBTL web site is a repository for all we are able to glean regarding a Downtown Library building project. In other words, this website is, appropriately, an organized and user-friendly library of information.
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News & Events
December 16, 2019 - Mixed-Use Project RFP released. Click HERE for details.
December 13, 2019 4 pm - 5:30 pm - Library Subcommittee meeting, Downtown Library upstairs meeting room. Open to the public.
November 22, 2019 - Click HERE for the final Jayson Architecture Renovation Analysis report.
August 20, 2019, 5:15 pm - Library Subcommittee meeting, Conference Room next to Council Chambers. Open to the public.
August 19, 2019 - Downtown Library Subcommittee awards contract to Jayson Architecture. Click HERE for their proposal.
June 12, 2019 - Click HERE for new Downtown Library City Council Subcommittee website.
May 28, 2019, 7 pm - Live Oak Elementary Multi-Purpose Room, 1916 Capitola Road: LO Library Annex Design Community Meeting #3
May 14, 2019, 12:30 pm SC City Council Motion to convene a Council subcommittee to investigate alternatives to the Downtown Library Project. Click HERE for the agenda.
February 11, 2019, 6:30 PM - Library Advisory Commission. Click HERE for agenda.
January 23, 2019 - DBTL submits Blueprint for Restored and Renovated Downtown Library to City Council members.
December 4, 2018 6-8 PM - LO Library Annex Design Community Meeting #3
June 19, 2018 - Click HERE to read DBTL's statement at the City Council Study Session.
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