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Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: April 28, 2009
Agenda Item: ~~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Lee E. Swain, Director of Public Works
Greg Mullen, City Librarian
Subject: Study Session on the Pico Area Branch Library
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council provide direction as to the preferred location for
a Pico area branch library.
Executive Summary
The development of the new Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District ("SMMUSD")
Edison Language Academy precipitated the exploration of joint use opportunities for
development of a new public library with SMMUSD to serve the Pico community. The
discussions led to the investigation of other potential locations for a Pico area branch
library. Council directed staff to investigate the possibility of locating a new branch
library in the Pico neighborhood. Staff investigated the possible use of space at Virginia
Avenue Park and parcels along Pico Boulevard and hired a consultant, Koning
Eizenberg Architecture, to investigate the siting options at Virginia Avenue Park.
Results of the investigation were presented at a community meeting, to the Virginia
Avenue Park Advisory Board, to the Library Board and to the Recreation and Parks
Commission. Additionally, appropriately sized parcels for redevelopment along Pico
Boulevard were studied. Staff is returning with two concepts for the Pico area branch
library location for Council to review and provide direction. One concept is to locate the
library in Virginia Avenue Park, and the second concept is to locate a library along Pico
Boulevard at a site to be acquired.
Background
Branch Library service has been available at a number of locations in the Pico /Sunset
Park area of the City since 1931. The existing Fairview Branch Library at 2101 Ocean
Park Boulevard opened for service in 1956. The Pico. Neighborhood Community Plan
(February 15, 1983) speaks of the need for a library and suggests consideration of
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combining existing private sector commercial activities with public uses to include a
library and a post office: As Virginia Avenue Park was being planned, the inclusion of a
library was discussed by the community. During the period between 2001 and 2005, the
City was focusing on improvements to its branch libraries and the construction of the
new Main Library.
In 2008, the idea of a library in the Pico neighborhood gained support as the community
considered the demolition and reconstruction of the Edison Language Academy. City
staff met with SMMUSD officials to discuss ashared-use opportunity at the Edison
Language Academy to construct a library that would be open to the public after school
hours.
Staff explored joint use opportunities with SMMUSD at Edison Language Academy. As
talks proceeded with SMMUSD, it became apparent that there were three barriers to
developing a joint use project: time, space and access. The school's design plans were
almost finalized and construction was being scheduled. Any design changes would
delay construction plans. District officials expressed concern that the school site was
already crowded and did not meet state standards for school campuses. Finally,
school officials were reluctant to have any portion of the school property open to the
public during school hours. A public library open only during the late afternoons,
evenings and weekends would not provide library service comparable to that provided
by the other branch libraries. Discussions with SMMUSD did not proceed after these
factors were acknowledged by City and school district staff.
On September 23, 2008, Council directed City staff to investigate the possibility of
locating a new branch of the Santa Monica Public Library in the Pico neighborhood, to
request input from stakeholders and the relevant Boards and Commissions.
Discussion
The Pico community has expressed along-held desire for a neighborhood library and
expediency is one of their priorities. Many residents at community meetings expressed
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that giving up a small amount of park space to quickly gain a library at Virginia Avenue
Park would be a worthwhile exchange. One common theme heard from the community
was that residents wanted a library on the north side of Pico Boulevard. Although the
Fairview Library is less than a mile from Virginia Avenue Park, some community
members feel Pico Boulevard represents a cultural divide that keeps residents away
from that branch. Heavy traffic on Pico Boulevard also contributes to a reluctance to
cross to the south side and a concern for child safety.
Public Outreach and. Site Analyses
In collaboration with key City departments, staff has been actively working with
community stakeholders and various Boards and Commissions to explore options for
Pico area library service. Library staff held a focus group discussion with community
members gathered by the Pico Neighborhood Association on September 2, 2008, at
Virginia Avenue Park. The meeting was designed to explore library service priorities for
the Pico neighborhood and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of possible
library locations including Edison Language Academy and Virginia Avenue Park. The
findings of that discussion verified the value of adding a library facility and programs that
meet the needs of the culturally diverse Pico neighborhood and a preference for the
Virginia Avenue Park location. The attendees thought it important to engage more
members of the Pico community in the discussion. In its meeting of September 4, 2008,
the Library Board supported a possible library site in the Pico neighborhood and
encouraged continuing discussion.
Should the Council wish to prioritize this project, there are two options that could. be
further explored. The first option is to build in Virginia Avenue Park. The other option is
to purchase a property for this purpose on Pico Boulevard thus revitalizing another
property along that corridor.
Option 1: Virginia Avenue Park
Koning Eizenberg Architecture was hired to investigate the feasibility of possible siting
locations for a library facility at Virginia Avenue Park. As part of this planning process, a
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public workshop was held at the park's Thelma Terry Building on January 22, 2009.
Over 6,100 notices were mailed to Pico neighborhood residents and businesses inviting
their input on Pico area library service. At this meeting, Koning Eizenberg presented site
options and three schemes fora 7,000 to 7,500 square foot library branch with 25 to 30
additional parking spaces at Virginia Avenue Park. More than 35 community members
attended and offered their input on a range of issues, concerns and general ideas on a
Pico neighborhood branch library. Among the outcomes of this Community Workshop
were:
m Support for enhanced library service in the Pico neighborhood
^ Recognition of a synergy between park and. library programs for community
benefit
^ Realization that the Virginia Avenue Park location expedites building of a branch
whose time has come for a neighborhood in need of resources
^ Recognition that open space, parking, and traffic are concerns for a library
located at Virginia Avenue Park
^ A suggestion that a branch library located elsewhere on Pico could support
revitalization of the boulevard
^ The idea that a library as part of a mixed use development on Pico Boulevard
could provide another neighborhood anchor
On February 2, 2009, Koning Eizenberg and library staff presented the library-park site
options to the Virginia Avenue Park Advisory Board. Based on feedback from the
January 22nd Community Workshop, this presentation refined its criteria for site
options, additionally factoring in the concern for preserving open space, construction
staging constraints, impact on existing park use and parking, and the value of adding
room for activities to already over-programmed park spaces. Koning Eizenberg
presented three approaches to building a library facility in two zones: one located along
Cloverfield Boulevard, and the other in the Farmers' Market area. The Virginia Avenue
Park Advisory Board approved locating a library in the park in the Farmers' Market
zone. Koning Eizenberg Architects also presented the options to the Recreation and
Parks Commission, which met on February 19, 2009. The Commission approved a
motion to support a Pico area branch library located in the Virginia Avenue Park
Farmers' Market zone, expressing its concerh, however, over the loss of open space as
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a result of providing additional parking. They also recommended investigation of
transportation and parking alternatives.
Option 2: Pico Boulevard Site
While Koning Eizenberg Architecture evaluated development opportunities for a library
at Virginia Park, staff in the Economic Development Division surveyed the Pico
neighborhood between 20t" Street and 30t" and from Pico Boulevard to the 10 Freeway
for 25,000 sq. ft. parcels to accommodate a 7,500 square foot library with parking for
28-30 cars.
Economic Development staff identified several properties, but found none currently for
sale and met with staff from the Library, City Planning and Public-Works departments to
review the various site options. As a result of these discussions, Economic
Development staff made inquiries to one properly owner who was receptive to engaging
in further discussions about co-development opportunities.
From a community development standpoint, locating a public library along Pico
Boulevard would fulfill a goal of the 1983 Pico Neighborhood Commuhity Plan and
create revitalization opportunities for the Pico neighborhood. This option would also
accommodate several important objectives of the Land Use and Circulation Element
Strategy Framework, which foresees revitalization opportunities and enhanced public
space along Pico Boulevard between Cloverfield and Stewart Avenue. An "anchor"
development could include opportunities for shared parking, affordable housing and a
small post office (a goal of the Pico Improvement Organization) in addition to a new
state-of-the-art library. However, the negotiation process could extend over a
protracted period of time with no guarantee of success. Staff could only begin such as
process if funding for a new library branch is included in the CIP. Additionally, a funding
plan for ongoing operations is estimated at $870,000 per year and no funding has been
identified.
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Staff requests Council's direction on whether this project will be considered a high
priority for CIP funding and which option it prefers. If so directed, staff will gather public
input on a specific site and, if appropriate, initiate negotiations for a property.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
This project is not currently funded. The preliminary cost estimate for a library in
Virginia Avenue Park is $12.8 million. The preliminary cost estimate for a Pico
Boulevard site including site acquisition is $30 million. The annual operating costs for
the Pico Library are estimated to be $870,000 for either site.
Prepared by:
Miriam Mulder, Principal Architect
Approved:
Lee E. Swain, Director
Department of Public Works
Forwarded to Council:
City Manager
Approved:
~~~ ( .~
eg Mull
City Librarian
Attachment: Koning Eizenberg Virginia Avenue Park Presentation
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