Title
Discussion of the Mulford-Marina Branch Library Project
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The City’s consultant, Noll and Tam Architects, has done preliminary design work and has facilitated two public meetings on June 25 and June 29, 2019 concerning the Mulford Marina Branch Library project. Staff will update the Committee on the current plans, schedule and budget for the project and provide a verbal summary of the public meetings.
BACKGROUND
The existing Mulford-Marina Branch Library, located at the intersection of Aurora Drive and Fairway Drive, has operated since 1962 in a 1,200 square foot building that has reached the end of its useful life. When the State of California passed the California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2000 (Library Bond Act), San Leandro prepared conceptual plans for the replacement of the Manor Branch and the Mulford-Marina Branch Libraries. Funded by Library Bond Act, the Manor Branch was constructed in 2006. The Mulford-Marina Branch was not funded by the Library Bond Act, but the City has now appropriated funds to demolish the existing library and construct a new library that is approximately twice the size of the existing building.
ANALYSIS
Design of the building and outdoor spaces will be based upon input from library staff and the community to create a destination for learning & gathering, thus providing a facility for patrons to use for many years. The proposed 2,500 square foot building is anticipated to house a collection of over 15,000 items including a meeting room, computer work stations or lounge seating areas with computer access, and updated library technologies. Also, an after-hours delivery system with secured lockers is proposed. The new building will be designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating.
The library site is nestled in the Mulford Gardens neighborhood on the west side of the City, and is also close to Monarch Bay Drive and the proposed new Shoreline Development. A grove of trees adjacent to the library serves as winter habitat for the monarch butterfly, and for more than a decade this library has hosted an educational program highlighting the annual return of these exceptional creatures. It is the intent of the library’s design to accommodate the continuation of this highly regarded educational program, and to potentially add outdoor site features that strengthen this unique environmental learning experience.
Noll and Tam Architects, the selected architect for this project, is located in Berkeley and was established in 1992. The firm specializes in libraries, and has programmed and designed more than forty public libraries in California. The design process, including community meetings to gather local input, conceptual design, and preparation of construction documents, is anticipated to take approximately 12 months. On July 23, 2018, the City Council approved a Consulting Services Agreement with Noll and Tam Architects for design, permitting, and preparation of bid documents for the replacement of the Mulford-Marina Branch Library with a cost not to exceed $325,272.
Community meetings were held on June 25, 2019 and June 29, 2019 to inform neighbors about the project and receive input on the conceptual design of the library. An open house session was conducted after the formal presentation to allow community members to share their thoughts about the indoor and outdoor spaces and opportunities to enhance library and community programs. The presentation reviewed the following:
• Library program and functions;
• Community needs for the library;
• Landscaping themes and schemes; and
• Site context and potential site features.
PREPARED BY: Nick Thom, City Engineer, Engineering and Transportation Department