SR-850-005-01 (18)
Council Meeting: October 22, 2002 Santa Monica, CA
To: Mayor and City Council
From: City Staff
Subject: Main Library Design Study Session
Introduction
This report describes revisions made to the Main Library plans in response to
comments on the 100% schematic design.
Background
Community interest in expanded library resources and facilities has been expressed
since the mid-1980s. In November 1998 voters approved a ballot measure authorizing
the City to sell general obligation bonds in an amount up to $25,000,000 in support of
library construction and renovation. Since that time, staff has proceeded with the
development of the Main Library project and selected the architectural firm of Moore
Ruble Yudell (MRY) for design services, Bovis Lend-Lease for project management and
Morely Builders for design-build services.
Council approved the conceptual design plan on December 18, 2001. The schematic
design was presented to Council at the fifty percent completion stage at their May 14,
2002 meeting, and the one hundred percent schematic design was presented on July
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23, 2002. The following discussion describes how the design has been modified in
response to comments regarding the one hundred percent schematic design.
Discussion
Front Entrance Design & Screening
Council expressed concern that the entrance along Santa Monica Boulevard did not
have the grandeur, interest and appeal that were expected. Particular comments
addressed the metal screening, the entrance garden, the front doors and the art
concept for this entrance.
The front entrance has been redesigned in response to City comments and the
architect's own design exploration. The entrance is now made prominent by a roof
canopy high above the entrance foyer. The canopy's leading edge is visible from the
7th street corner and visually draws one's eye toward the main canopy support column
at the top of the entrance stairs and walkway. Palm Trees and planters next to the
building and stepped benches and planters along the street edge flank the sloping
walkway that brings pedestrians in from the 6th street corner. The facade composition
features a large curtain wall that highlights the two-story reading room as well as
smaller glazed bays that will be animated with library users when the building is open.
Pedestrian Experience along Santa Monica Boulevard, Sixth and Seventh Streets
Since the conceptual design phase, Council members commented on the need for
greater pedestrian interest along Santa Monica Boulevard. Throughout the design
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process, changes have been made to enhance the building?s connection to the street,
and the pedestrian?s experience when passing by the new Library. Large glazed areas,
some dropping down to street level, provide frequent views into the Library, and through
to the interior courtyard, providing a connection to the Library and its functions.
Great efforts were made to provide variety and visual relief at the pedestrian level. The
use of smooth and textured precast concrete panels help to define the massing of the
building and lend variety of texture and color; frequent indentations for landscaping
occur along the Santa Monica Boulevard façade, culminating in the main entry to the
building at Santa Monica and Sixth Street; garden recesses, the Fiction Court, and the
Entry Garden along Sixth Street, as well as the Children?s Garden along Seventh Street
soften the façade and help to draw pedestrians to the Library entries that exist along
each of those streets.
Cafe Size and Seating
It was discussed that the cafe should offer sufficient seating to accommodate the
anticipated clientele. Some interest was expressed in how the cafe will be operated.
The details of café operation will be explored and developed in the months ahead. At
this time the planning team feels that the interior café seating is adequate. In addition,
MRY has begun analyzing the possibilities for maximizing seating in the courtyard
space surrounding the café. It will be possible to seat approximately 100 to 200 people
in the courtyard for special events.
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Interior Elevator Location and Visibility
Council members commented on the location, orientation and visibility of the internal
public elevator. There was a desire to make the elevator as conspicuous as the main
stairway to the second floor. In response, the elevator has been moved somewhat to
the north of its previous location and has been turned so that the entrance faces the
main lobby. This arrangement will make the elevator very conspicuous and place it
almost directly across the lobby from the main staircase.
Other Issues
Temporary Library
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Staff has executed a lease agreement for the building at 1324 5 Street. The building is
approximately 25,000 sq. ft. and will accommodate about a third of the current library
operation, focusing on the nonfiction collection and high demand items. The site will
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include some parking and is a half block from the city parking structure on 4 street
near Arizona. Staff is currently accepting bids for renovation of the space, scheduled to
begin in November.
Integration of Art Elements
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As discussed earlier, the interior design provides for space on the second floor in the
high bays at the Reference and Periodical area for the 38 panels of the Stanton
MacDonald-Wright mural. The project?s other art components will be presented to the
Public Arts Committee of the Arts Commission and the full Arts Commission in
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November 2002. Their recommendations and comments will be brought back to
Council in December 2002.
Parking
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The project includes surface and below-grade parking to serve library patrons. The plan
includes a small garden-like surface lot at the north end of the site and a large below-
grade lot of nearly 600 spaces. Approximately 450 of these spaces will be used as
general public parking for the downtown. Access to both lots is from Seventh Street.
Next Steps
This project is scheduled for Planning Commission in November 2002. Staff will return
to Council in December for final approval of the project, including approvals of the
Environmental Impact Report, final design, art elements and the guaranteed maximum
price of the construction contractor.
Budget/Financial Impact
The Department of Finance concluded the sale of the $25,000,000 General Obligation
Bonds, Series 2002 in July. Net proceeds of the bonds will be applied with other
available funds toward financing the construction, improvement and remodeling of the
Santa Monica Public Library branches, as well as the demolition and construction of the
new Main Library. Approximately $50 million has been budgeted for the Main Library
project and branch renovations and an additional bond issue is contemplated to
complete the financing.
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It should be noted that the project costs are currently estimated at approximately $7
million more than has been contemplated, although final costs will not be known until
the December, when the guaranteed maximum price is submitted by the construction
contractor. This stems in part from the community?s and Council?s desire for a
distinguished, landmark structure of quality materials; a building that is environmentally
efficient and LEED-rated; and a temporary facility easily accessible to residents that
makes available a sizeable portion of the collection during construction:
The design of the building has been enriched by constructing the exterior in pre-cast
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concrete to help strengthen the civic image of the building, as opposed to a less
expensive option such as stucco. The estimated cost of using this material is $2.5
million. Although more expensive in the short-term, pre-cast concrete is significantly
less expensive to maintain over time.
In addition to other energy efficient measures, the entire building will contain a raised
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floor system. This will allow more efficient ventilation of the building and energy
savings over time. All wiring will be under the raised floor, allowing for greater
flexibility in floor plan design over time. The cost of installing such a system
throughout the building is approximately $450,000 additional dollars.
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The temporary Main Library is in the downtown on 5 Street, between Arizona and
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Santa Monica Boulevard, one block from the existing Main Library. The building is
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large enough to accommodate one-third of the collection, and the facility is close to
public parking in parking structure #3. Staff is exploring ways to provide short-
term/book drop-off parking in front of the temporary facility. The estimated moving
costs, rental and tenant improvements are an additional $2 million.
Various soft costs, including builder?s risk insurance, EIR, and testing and inspection
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costs, are anticipated to be an additional $1.5 million. Owner?s contingency, and
fixtures and equipment are also estimated to exceed amounts originally
contemplated.
Staff is currently evaluating ways to finance the additional costs or reduce anticipated
expenses. These options will be presented to Council in December with the final project
approvals.
While an allocation of project funds has been made for incorporation of the Stanton
MacDonald-Wright murals, the actual cost to restore and accommodate the murals
cannot be determined until much later. Additional funding will be sought at that time as
necessary.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council review the revised Main Library design and provide
comment and feedback as appropriate.
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Prepared by: Wini Allard, City Librarian
Greg Mullen, Assistant City Librarian
Lauren Friedman, Senior Architect, EPWM
(Not available electronically.
Attachments: MRY Plans and Drawings
Available at City Clerk?s Office and Public Libraries.)
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