SR 09-27-2011 8BID
C;,yof City Council Report
Santa Monied
City Council Meeting: September 27, 2011
Agenda Item: `Jr3
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Martin Pastucha, Director of Public Works
Greg Mullen, City Librarian
Subject: Design Development Plans for Pico Branch Library
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve design development plans for the Pico Branch Library Project.
2. Direct staff to move forward with construction documents.
Executive Summary
In Mav 2009, Council approved Pico Branch Library as one of the Redevelopment
Agency's priority projects, and in Mav 2011, Council allocated $10.8 million of
Redevelopment Agency funds for the Pico Branch Library Project.
The proposed design development review is the result of further development of the
concept and schematic design phases. The proposed design consists of a single -story
8,690 square foot building, directly adjacent to the existing Thelma Terry Building. The
proposed site plan has been configured to maintain the existing number of Farmers'
Market stalls and vendors, and to minimize the impact on the existing park green space.
The proposed library programs include adult, teen, and children's collections, study rooms,
seating and story areas, and a community meeting room.
Background
On May 12, 2009, Council approved construction of a branch library at the Virginia Avenue
Park location as one of the Redevelopment Agency's priority projects. Following Council's
action, staff solicited firms to provide design services for the new Pico Branch Library in
Virginia Avenue Park. On February 23, 2010, Council awarded a design contract to
Koning Eizenberg Architects. The firm was selected based on their familiarity with the Pico
neighborhood, their broad experience in working with the community, and the quality of
their built projects which includes Virginia Avenue Park. On February 22, 2011, Council
reviewed the proposed design concepts for the Pico Branch Library Project and directed
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staff to move forward with schematic design. On May 24, 2011, Council approved
allocation of $10.8 million of Redevelopment Agency funds for the Pico Branch Library
Project. The proposed design development review is the result of further development of
the concept and schematic design phases which were completed by Koning Eizenberg
Architects in June 2011.
Discussion
Basis of Design
The Pico Branch Library is to be located within Virginia Avenue Park, which is bounded by
Virginia Avenue to the north, Pico Boulevard to the south, 21st Street to the west and
Cloverfield Boulevard to the east. The new 8,690 square foot 1 -story structure would
attach to the south elevation of the existing Thelma Terry building, separated by a fire wall.
This site strategy maintains visibility into the park and causes minimal disruption to the
current operation of the Saturday Farmers Market, with no loss of stalls. During the week,
in the absence of Farmers Market, the library would help activate an area that is currently
underutilized. The footprint is broken up into two masses that are connected by a roof
structure and separated by an existing fire lane access road. The main entrance to the
library would be located on the south elevation, facing Pico Boulevard. New monument
signage and additional planting along Pico Boulevard reinforces the library's visibility from
the south. Activation and engagement with the site is a key principle of the library design
strategy. Building on the folded roofs already found at the park center and patio buildings,
the library design incorporates a dynamic roof structure. A large roof overhang to the east,
towards the grassy side of the park, provides shaded areas for both library and park
visitors. A strong visual connection between interior and exterior is achieved by
incorporating clear glazing at all elevations, allowing views through the length of the
building and out to the park. Reinforcing the library's role as part of the Virginia Avenue
Park campus, the detached community room can function independently to accommodate
park and community programs. The landscape design is intended to integrate with the park
by utilizing landscape design elements from the existing park such as plant selections and
bolder configurations with integrated seating. Site improvements include new concrete
paving, raised planters and seat walls. Several new trees would be planted for additional
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shading at new patios. New concrete amphitheater seating projects from the south
elevation of the community room and would accommodate small performances and
general seating at the park. A minimum LEED Silver Certification would be achieved for
the building. For this rating, the building would need to be energy efficient and exterior
glazing would require sun shading. The south elevation would be shaded by a tensile
fabric canopy that would also serve as shading for relocated Farmers' Market seating.
Community Engagement Program
The project team developed a comprehensive community engagement program to
encourage community participation and input on the location, programming and design of
this new branch library. To date, the project team has organized over 70 public outreach
meetings and informational presentations, ranging in size from personal one -on -one
meetings to public workshops attended by over 30 participants held at the Thelma Terry
Building in Virginia Avenue Park.
Ongoing Communications — A project website (http:/Iwww.smpl.org/Pico/library.htm) was
launched in spring 2010 to provide the community with. information about the project,
including upcoming community workshops and online surveys. To further encourage
participation in the planning process, bilingual materials and surveys were published on
the project website, with hard copies made available to the community through the Park
Center, Camp Santa Monica, Afro - American Outreach Committee, and at all libraries.
Staff continues to inform the public about the project at community and city -wide events,
including the Unity Resource Festival, Cinco de Mayo, and Juneteenth celebrations.
Surveys and notices were also hand delivered to the Edison Language Academy, St.
Anne's and Cavalry Baptist Churches, and Grant School.
Community Workshops — Community workshops were held at the Thelma Terry Building
on September 11, October 9, November 6, December 4, 2010, and April 5, 2011 to involve
the community in the planning process and ensure that their concerns and expectations
were consistently understood and considered. The initial workshop in September focused
on the trends in branch libraries. At the end of the workshop, participants were asked to
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complete a survey on the possibilities for this new branch library, including design,
services, and programs. The survey was also available online for those who were unable
to attend the workshop. The City received 466 completed surveys in English and Spanish.
The results of the survey were discussed at the October workshop, including preferences
for the building location in Virginia Avenue Park. The November and December workshops
focused on the conceptual building form and programs desired by the community. The
April meeting presented schematic design to the community. Prior to every public
workshop, notices were posted online and published in the Santa Monica Daily Press, The
Lookout (Surf Santa Monica), and Santa Monica Mirror. Furthermore, at the request of the
community, workshop notices were also hand delivered to businesses and residents of the
Pico neighborhood.
Community Groups Meetings — The project team met with local community groups and
organizations, including the Pico Improvement Organization, the Pico Neighborhood
Association, and the Friends of Sunset Park to present project updates and seek feedback
from the groups. Special workshops were also held with the Youth Dialogue Cooperative,
Semillas college students, and Pico Youth & Family Center students to elicit input from
younger members of the community.
Boards and Commissions Presentations — Presentations were made to the Library and
Virginia Avenue Park Boards and the Recreation and Parks Commission at critical
milestones during the planning and programming phases of the project. Project updates
were also provided by the City Librarian at the monthly Library Board meetings.
Parking — Parking was a major concern for the community. As with locating the building
site, preserving the maximum amount of green space and play area was a priority. By
code, a stand -alone facility of this size would require 30 parking spaces. A parking
occupancy study conducted in November 2010 concluded that both park and library
parking demand could be accommodated by utilizing the existing surface parking lots. The
exception would be during Farmers' Market hours and special events. Planning staff would
present a parking variance to council for review and approval in October 2011.
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Next Steps
Following Council's review of the design development plans, Koning Eizenberg Architects
would begin to develop the construction documents. The next steps are:
• Planning staff to present entitlements to Council (October 11, 2011).
• Presentation to Architecture Review Board (October 17, 2011).
• Completion of construction documents and permitting (May 2012).
• Bidding and contract negotiations (summer 2012).
• Return to Council for contract award (summer 2012).
• Groundbreaking of Pico Branch Library (summer 2012).
• Pico Branch Library completion (early 2014).
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no budget /financial impact associated with this action.
Prepared by: Tom Afschar, Architect
Approved:
Concurrence:
��
reg Mulle
City Librarian
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Attachment A: Koning Eizenberg Design Development Plans
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Branch
May 2009 Council approves construction of a branch Library in VAP ,
February 2010 Council.awards design contract to KEA
into schematic
from South
from North-West
F-I
J71-
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ftco aLVD-
I A
Possible new locations
for Farmer's Market stalls
' O
- --0
customer service
450 sq ft
popular materials
715 sq ft
computer commons
200 sq ft
collections & seating
1,330 sq ft
children's library
1,245 sq ft
community room
840 sq ft
. ... . .......... . ---
-- - - - - - - - - - - - --
... . ....
-----------
NORTH �AM
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- I - -- - --Z41 b
I 1Pa>eK
WEST E AMON@RREIANE
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from North at fire lane
at South elevation
main entry
at Park Center & community room entry
Plannin staff to present entitlements
October 2011 9 ... _.._......
Mav 2012 Completion of • • documents and permitting