HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-07-31 City Council (19)City of Palo Alto
Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT:COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE:JULY 31, 2000 CMR: 342:00
SUBJECT:FINAL FEASIBILITY STUDY
CHILDREN’S LIBRARY
FOR THE PALO ALTO
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
The Children’s Library, nearly sixty years old, does not meet current or future needs. It
is identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget for a major
infrastructure overhaul involving the roof, seismic strengthening, plumbing, electrical
work, ADA modifications, etc. The study provides updated projected costs for
rehabilitation of the existing building as well as for expansion alternatives. As now
described in the CIP, the project involves rehabilitation~ of only the existing building
footprint.
In December 1999, Council approved a request from the Friends of the Palo Alto Library
(Friends) to conduct a building expansion study of the Children’s Library and authorized
City participation of up to $35,000 to share in the expense of the study. FOPAL agreed
to be the lead agency, with Board Member Helen Beardsworth in the coordinating role;
and to hire architectural and engineering professionals to conduct the study. A committee
composed of Friends members and City staff developed requests for proposals,
interviewed five potential consulting firms, and selected Architectural Resources Group
(ARG) of San Francisco, who conducted the study. ARG completed the final report in
mid-June.
DISCUSSION
At the Library Advisory Commission’s June 22, 2000 meeting, Ms. Beardsworth and
Cathleen Mahlstrom, architect from ARG, presented the findings of the study and
discussed the preferred expansion alternative, which is described in concept. The
Commission "accepted and endorsed the Final Feasibility Study for the Palo Alto
Children’s Library in the context of the New Library Plan for Palo Alto." The
CMR:342:00 Page 1 of 2
Commission recommended that staff proceed to complete building program planning for
children’s services in north Palo Alto.
Attached is the Executive Summary of the report. Copies of the full report are available
at the Main and Children’s libraries and at Library Administration, located at the
Downtown Library.
Attachment A: Executive Summary prepared by Architectural Resources Group
Prepa~’ed by: Mary Jo Levy, Director of Libraries
DEPARTMENT HEAD: ~ ,,
PAUL THILTGEN
Director, Community Services
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
SON
Assistant City Manager
Library Advisory Commission
Helen Beardsworth, Friends of the Library Board
Shelby Valentine, President, Friends of the Library
CMR:342:00 Page 2 of 2
Final Feasibi|ity Study
for
The Palo Alto Children’s Library
Palo Alto, California
Final Feasibility Study
Palo Alto Children’s Library
I.Executive Summary
Introduction
The Palo Alto Children’s Library is part of the Lucie Stem Community Center, a complex of civic
buildings in a park setting. The complex, a local Historic Resource, was designed in 1932 by Birge
Clark. The Children’s Library was constructed in 1940. It currently provides most Children’s services
for the City and is severely overcrowded. The goal of this st0dy is to determine the suitability of the
library for expansion..
Methodology
In April 2000, the Friends of the Palo Alto Library contracted Architectm’al Resources Group (ARG) to
develop this feasibility study to determine the options for expansion of the Children’s Library. Site vis-
its, research, and consultation with City staff and users were done in preparation of this report.
Existing Conditions
The Children’s Library is a single-story historically significant building that has not been previously
renovated. It is currently overcrowded and in need of reorganization and expansion. It suffers from
delayed maintenance and many of its original systems need replacement. It also has seismic and acces-
sibility deficiencies. The adjacent "Secret Garden" is heavily used and has already been negatively
impacted by previous building additions within the complex.
Site Analysis
The potential for expansion of the library is constrained by the building’s limited site and the sensitivity
of its adjacent garden. The access to and use of the Lucie Stem complex as a whole also impacts the
expansion options.
Expansion Alternatives
This study examined the broadest possible range of options for expansion of the library. After rejection
of several unresponsive alternatives, the following six were selected for study:
Alternative 1:
Alternative 2:
Alternative 3:
Alternative 4:
Alternative 5:
Alternative 6:
Existing Building without Addition
North Addition
Single-Story South Addition (after Birge Clark design)
Two-Story South Addition (Maintaining South Alley)
Single-Story North and Two-Story South Additions
South Addition Extending into Garden with Garden Expansion to North
Each alternative was considered both with and without a basement. Each option was evaluated for its
impact on both the building and the site; the potential area gained; and the relative cost.
Preferred Alternative
Following the evaluation, Alternative 5 was selected as the most responsive option. It was further evalu-
ated and a construction cost estimate was prepared. After consideration of the relative costs, Alternatives
5 and 5A were selected as the Preferred Alternatives. Development of the Children’s Library program
will dictate which of these two options should be pursued.
ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP
Architects, Planners ~" Conservators, Inc.
Final Feasibility Study
Palo Alto Children’s Library
Cost Estimate
A Preliminary Estimate was prepared for each of the three alternatives (5, 5A and 5B), including both
construction costs and additional expenses of the project. Overall costs (construction cost, contingen-
cies, "soft" costs, and FF&E) are estimated as follows:
Alternative 5 (no basement):
Alternative 5A (South basement only):
Alternative 5B (complete basement):
$4,113,588
$4,873,275
$7,378,619
Recommendations for Further Study
In order to determine whether the findings of this report will integrate into the City’s overall Library
Plan, it is recommended that a detailed survey of existing conditions be undertaken and a program for
the expanded building be developed. The seismic retrofit should be redesigned in conjunction with the
expansion. In addition, a plan for refurbishing the Secret Garden should be developed. Finally, the
Children’s Library expansion should be coordinated with anticipated work on other facilities within the
Lucie Stern complex, particularly, changes to the Community Theatre and parking improvements.
ARCHITECTURAL 1KESOURCES GROUP
Architects, Harmers ~ Conservators, lilt.2