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 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 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.

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

Staff has executed a lease agreement for the building at 1324 5^th 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 include some parking and is a half block from the city parking structure on 4^th street near Arizona. Staff is currently accepting bids for renovation of the space, scheduled to begin in November.

§ Integration of Art Elements

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 November 2002. Their recommendations and comments will be brought back to Council in December 2002.

§ Parking

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.

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 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 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.

§ The temporary Main Library is in the downtown on 5^th Street, between Arizona and Santa Monica Boulevard, one block from the existing Main Library. The building is 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 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.

Prepared by: Wini Allard, City Librarian

Greg Mullen, Assistant City Librarian

Lauren Friedman, Senior Architect, EPWM

Attachments: MRY Plans and Drawings (Not available electronically. Available at City Clerk’s Office and Public Libraries.)