Citizens for Sunnyvale Parks & Green Spaces: Nice Libraries for Nice Prices

By Michael Goldman, co-founder with Deborah Marks of Citizens for Sunnyvale Parks and Green Spaces

Deborah Marks is also leader of Sunnyvale Urban Forests Advocates
http://www.SunnyvaleUrbanForestAdvocates.org/

These 5 libraries cost a total of $64.6M for 140,800 sq.ft. = $459/sq.ft. Sunnyvale's current library is 60,000 sq.ft., Santa Clara's is 80,000 sq.ft., Cupertino's is 54,000 SF, Mountain View's is 60K SF

3. North Natomas Library (2010) $10.8M - 23K SF - $469/Sq.Ft.
4. Haskett Library (2009) $8.7M - 24K SF - $362/Sq.Ft.
5. South Oxnard Library (2007) $8.9M - 23K SF - $387/Sq.Ft.
6. Calabasas Library (2008) $12.4M - 23.3K SF - $540/Sq.Ft. (A Real Beauty!)
7. Alameda Main Library (2006) $23.8M - 47.5K SF - $501/Sq.Ft.

Based on population, Sunnyvale should have about 4 branch libraries. The first 4 libraries here (3 through 6) are each roughly 24,000 sq.ft. All four combined cost $41M - compared to the $108M asked for in the 2007 Sunnyvale bond issue. That would be 93,000 sq. ft. added to the 60,000 sq.ft. current library for a total of 153,000 sq.ft. for Sunnyvale residents - much more than double the space for less than half the money!

All are far less than the nearly $1,000/sq.ft. estimated by ABA for a new library in 2007. ABA is now doing the "needs" assessment for Sunnyvale's City Hall, Library, and Public Safety Building.

We fear ABA will assess Civic Center "needs" as so expensive that there will be "no choice" but to 99-year lease half the Civic Center to developers to pay for it.

Previous post here:
http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2015/08/nice-libraries-for-nice-prices-2.html
Next here:

http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2015/08/nice-libraries-for-nice-prices-4.html

3. Sacramento: North Natomas Library (2010)

$10.8M / 23,000 Sq.Ft. = $469/SF

Joint use with Inderkum HS and American River College

Click on this and any other to enlarge

More Pix on Yelp:

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sacramento-public-library-north-natomas-sacramento

City of Sacramento provided $3.77M and CA provided $7.1M = $10.8M for a 23,000 sq. ft. library as seen in the following excerpt from the CA audit document
http://www.dof.ca.gov/osae/audit_reports/documents/FinalReport-CityofSacramentoCaliforniaStateLibraryGrantAudit.pdf

Click on this to enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Architect's portfolio here:

http://nachtlewis.com/portfolios/

4. Anaheim: Haskett Library (2009)

$8.7M / 24,000 Sq.Ft. = $362 / SF

Click on photo to enlarge

Every library function included - Click on image to enlarge

Above from http://www2.anaheim.net/images/default/docs/library/Haskett%20tour.pdf

The following CA Dept. of Finance Audit shows a total cost of about $8.7M. The City did NOT use all the funds awarded them under the grant!

Click on this or any image to enlarge

Above audit pages excerpted from:

http://www.dof.ca.gov/osae/audit_reports/documents/City%20of%20Anaheim%20Haskett%20Branch%20Library%20Proposition%2014%20Bond%20Program%20Agreement%201047%20May%202008.pdf

pix above from:

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/haskett-branch-library-anaheim

Architect's portfolio here:
http://www.wlcarchitects.com/portfolio/
"..the project was awarded funding from the 2004 State Library Bond Act with building construction cost limitations of $210.00 per sf" from above link.

5. South Oxnard Branch Library (2007)

$8.9M / 23,000 Sq. Ft.= $387/Sq.Ft.

"The new 23,000 square foot library, located in an educationally and economically disadvantaged area, will serve as a teaching and learning center that will meet the education needs and improve the functional literacy skills of the South Oxnard Community. There are 18 schools in the area with many of them being within walking distance of the new library." From: http://www.library.ca.gov/newsletter/2007/2007summer/new.html

Click on this or any image to enlarge

As can be seen from the CA state audit excerpted here, the money includes everything - not only construction costs which are 82% of the total project cost.

Above excerpted from CA Dept. of Finance Audit:
http://www.dof.ca.gov/osae/audit_reports/documents/Prop.14LibraryBondsCityofOxnard.pdf

6. Calabasas Public Library (2008)

LEED Gold

$12.4M / 23,332 Sq.Ft. = $540/SF

Part of a new Civic Center: "The entire project was certified at the LEED Gold level. The Library provides program areas for: adult reading areas, a teen area, a juvenile and early childhood area, a homework center, a 220–seat community room and all the related supporting function areas." From:
http://www.harleyellisdevereaux.com/projects/calabasas_civic_center_library#learn/libraries

Library from Street - Click to enlarge

Click on photo to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Library South Courtyard - Click to enlarge

The CA audit below shows a total cost of $12.6M ($8.2M from state, $4.4M from City) for 23,332 Sq. Ft. or $540/ Sq.Ft. - following excerpts are from CA Dept. of Finance document:

http://www.dof.ca.gov/osae/audit_reports/documents/FinalReportCityofCalabasasStateLibraryGrantAudit.pdf