A Model for Library Expansion

Permalink:
http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-model-for-library-expansion.html
(see related post: http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2013/10/joint-use-part-1.html )

Could we add on and modernize the existing Sunnyvale library?  Here is an addition to a library in Oregon that suggests the answer is an emphatic yes!

(To expand the size of the photos, click on one and they will be available as a series in greatly expanded form.  Highly recommended to fully appreciate what a wonderful library it is.)

In 2003, Southern Oregon University started work using a state grant of $23M to add 60,000 sq. ft. to their existing 60,000 sq. ft. library – doubling it in size.  The existing Sunnyvale Public Library is also 60,000 sq. ft.  The $23M state grant included furnishings and fixtures.  The new SOU Hannon Library also received a new exterior.

Exterior of Hannon Library

This soaring Atrium with handmade tile floor was part of the $23M addition.

The high, open space allows room for this beloved wooden statue carved from an old tree several decades ago honoring the Native Americans who used to live in Southern Oregon.

The lobby has a nice sitting area as part of the $23M addition.

The interior is well lit with ample space and office furnishings for staff and students including (in the upper right) a food area as part of the $23M addition.

There are semi-private rooms where groups of students can work together, and many computer stations, a presentation room and of course, lots of books and shelf space around the new tables and chairs as part of the $23M addition.

The existing structure's HVAC was upgraded in addition to adding what was needed for the new addition.  The $23M addition was constructed while the existing library was in full use by SOU students.  It achieved LEED Silver status despite not modifying the existing HVAC by aggressively managing the lighting so that it turns down when no one is near.

LEED Silver level was achieved despite a large amount of glass in a climate like Oregon’s with real winters and cool evenings.  The external shell was entirely replaced as part of the $23M addition.

Could the existing Sunnyvale Library be added on to?  The example of the SOU library suggests the answer is "of course!"  It could be doubled in size (100% increase) for much less than the cost of a new one without forsaking all the amenities we associate with a modern library.  

The 2007 Sunnyvale Library bond issue to tear down the old one and put up a new one with only 50% more space was for $100M.  This doubling of size at Southern Oregon University cost $23M with furnishings and fixtures.  Assuming 3% inflation over the ensuing 11 years would mean an increase in costs of 38% to $32M or, roughly $500/sq. ft.  This is completely consistent with costs of library exapnsions and new construction in the SF Bay area as detailed, (some might say exhaustively) at 

http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2014/02/library-costs-in-california.html

Here is the report by the engineering firm summarizing the long list of upgrades to the Hannon Library at SOU:

http://www.bhengineers.com/services/energy-engineering/southern-oregon-university-hannon-library-expansio/

“Balzhiser & Hubbard Engineers provided mechanical, electrical, and energy engineering during the design and construction phases for this renovation and expansion project. Mechanical engineering services include design of HVAC, hydronic, and plumbing systems for the renovation of the existing 59,000 square foot library and an addition of approximately 61,000 square feet. Systems included single duct VAV, dual duct VAV, and heat recovery HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and steam and chilled water connections to the central campus systems. Special HVAC and fire protection systems included those serving the 2,000 square foot rare book area. Electrical services included the upgrade of existing electrical and network infrastructure in the existing building to support proposed technology needs. A new fire alarm system was designed to address the existing building and the addition. Lighting in the existing building was upgraded and incorporated into the lighting control system installed for the new building. Balzhiser & Hubbard Engineers also managed the modeling and reporting process under the (then) new SEED guidelines using DOE-2.2. A significant challenge associated with this project was that portions of the existing library had to remain in service during construction.”

History of SOU library: http://hanlib.sou.edu/about/history.html

Sunnyvale Joint Use of Public School Libraries- Part 1

See part 2 at http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2014/02/joint-school-public-libraries-2.html

Related post at: http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-model-for-library-expansion.html

The suggestion of the sale of part of the Civic Center (where the public library and city hall are) was a source of dismay so Deborah Marks and I worked to present alternatives.

One of the alternatives we have suggested is the sharing ("joint use") of public school libraries with the Sunnyvale City Library.  Costs would be shared so the schools would have lower costs and the libraries would get much more use by the public (mostly kids).  Here is a presentation before the Sunnyvale City Council on March 5th, 2013 on some of the aspects of joint use of public school libraries with the city library (slight pause before I start talking - sorry).  It is also available on YouTube at:

http://youtu.be/54LKGFpVKCU

(Slides used are shown below)

Links to references to the proposal to sale/lease the civic center and related issues are collected here:
http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2012/10/links-to-information-on-salelease-of.html

Slide 1 continued an argument that the amount of money involved is roughly that of the entire city budget and should not be taken with a simple city council vote.  The voters of the city should decide such a momentous issue.  Since only 50%+1 need to approve a non-tax issue, propositiopn 13 doesn't come into it.  The $100M library bond proposal that got 59% of the vote was only for a library, not selling off major parts of the civic center.

Slide 2 was excerpted from the city document showing the proposed sale of various parts of the Civic Center showing what would be sold and retained.

Slide two showed the area within 2 miles of the current library (red) and two proposed libraries.  The existing library would be demolished.

Slide 4 showed the proposal for joint use libraries with a smaller radius of "use area" since the thought is that it would be more for kids than adults who would be more likely to walk to the library.

City Council Meeting March 19, 2013

The following is the text of the speech which Deborah Marks gave before the City Council during Public Comments.  Michael Goldman followed with more examples of libraries with additions.  To see both presentations just google "Sunnyvale City Council Meetings Video" and go to "Watch Council Meetings Online."  Our presentations are about 10 minutes into the start of the meeting.

City Council Meeting                                                                March 19, 2013

My name is Deborah Marks and I’m with the group Citizens for Sunnyvale Parks and Green Spaces.  I have spoken to the council before about the future of the civic center….as it is now and as it would be if the public/private partnership concept of July 31^st, 2012, were to go through.

  

As it would be....

 

After having talked to many people and having seen the buildings at the civic center, I would like to suggest the following.

We know that the city doesn’t have the money to build two or three new buildings.  We know that the bond measure for $108 million for a new library did not get the 2/3’s majority it needed in 2007.

We know that the buildings…city hall and the library….are capable of being repaired or added onto.   In both cases this could be done and provide more space for the library patrons and city employees at a comparably lower cost to the city than new buildings.  This cost comparison was done in a feasibility study for the city in 2002/2003.  A branch library is being considered at the Lakewood Park Site which could help to solve the space dilemma at the main library.  An example of a attractive addition to a library can be seen here in Schenectady, New York.  It illustrates a combination of the new with the old.  It is an addition of 6700 sq. ft.  for a children’s area and for technology services.

 

Schenectady, New York

The immediate problem seems to be with the Office Center on the north side of Olive Ave…. between the library and Union Bank… and the South Annex behind City Hall.  They are in dire need of repair.  A new building could be built at the site of the Office Center to replace both.  If it were two stories high but in keeping with the style of the older buildings, it would fit into the setting and provide more space.  An example of such a building would be the Packard Foundation in Los Altos.  Perhaps this could be the new city hall and the old city hall could be used for the overflow at the Public Safety Building.  The construction could be financed in other ways than selling or leasing the city’s land.

Packard Foundation, Los Alto, CA

 

Money could then be set aside for additional new buildings in the future.  As I understand this will be considered at a study session to create an ordinance to set aside amounts of funds for large city infrastructure projects. 

Just as home owners have to budget and save for future projects in the upkeep of their homes, the city must put aside money for repairs and construction.  Renovating and building at the civic center can be done in phases and, that way, ensure that the civic center site will be maintained for future generations.

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Deborah Marks

Our February 2013 Newsletter

Dear Supporters,

On December 4, 2012 we were invited to a tour of the Civic Center by the Assistant City Manager, Robert Walker.  This is mainly due to the emails you have written to the city council which Mr. Walker reads and takes seriously.  He pointed out the problems with the city hall, south annex and office annexes (“rabbit hutches”) across from the city hall.  Mr. Walker also gave us three studies commissioned by the city in 2002, 2003 and 2009 regarding the civic center and possible renovations to the site.  A report of the tour can be seen at our blog http://cspgs.blogspot.com/.  The studies are available at our NEW Website(!).  This can be reached by typing in: CSPGS.com (no “www” in front) which redirects to https://www.sites.google.com/site/citizenssunnyvalepandgs

One reason for a website was to provide a central location where anyone can go to download the many files of information and presentation that we have accumulated but can’t post on a blog.  These can be accessed at: https://www.sites.google.com/site/citizenssunnyvalepandgs/resource-center

We started out with the 3 documents we borrowed from Mr. Walker which are outside experts’ analyses of the Civic Center issues over the years.  We scanned them in by hand since Mr. Walker did not have electronic forms.  One of the key findings is that the traffic generated by the proposed massive commercial development of the Civic Center would double traffic delays from about 35 seconds per car to 65-75 seconds degrading traffic congestion to the lowest possible rating of F.  More on that later.

The web site is a work in progress.  We are using a template with a lot of sample features pre-filled with obscure Latin.  We would welcome any help in polishing it up.

We proposed to the City Council that a cost/analysis study of a small scale development of a new slightly larger office building to replace the Sunnyvale Office Center (AKA “rabbit hutches”) be considered as a study issue for this year.  Michael introduced this study at the City Council Meeting on January 8, 2013.  Decisions as to which study issues will be selected for the year considered by the City Council on February 1, 2013.  Our proposal for a study issue was selected for further study which required 2 council members to vote for it but ultimately was voted down by the board because City Manager Gary Luebbers claimed that it would be considered in a broader study.

Flyers are still being distributed in the city but if anyone would like to volunteer to help with the distribution, just send us an e-mail.  We certainly could use more help.  Financial contributions to defray the expense of the paper and the printing ink would also be welcome.  We are in the process of adding a paragraph to the flyer to clearly state that our main issue is to preserve the geography of the civic center as it is.  That we are also making suggestions to the city as to the possibilities for renovation to the buildings or, if necessary, for new construction.    The revised newsletter can be seen at our blog.

As an example, the new Lucille and David Packard Foundation building in Los Altos would fit perfectly into the current civic center site as a replacement for one of the buildings.  It’s located at 343 Second St.  You can see it at http://www.packard.org/.  A video is available at http://vimeo.com/45338217#at=0.  We will be suggesting this type of construction at a City Council meeting if the replacement of buildings is necessary.

In the last newsletter we wrote that we were extending an invitation to any council member who would like to meet with us.  We also said that we would be open to any corrections to our flyer.  We received no answer from any council member.

A Tour of the Civic Center

The basement is used for classroom and meeting space

Permanent link for future reference:
http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-tour-of-civic-center.html

On December 4th, 2012, we were invited by the Assistant City Manager, Mr. Robert Walker, to tour some of the buildings at the Civic Center.  Mr. Walker wanted to show us the condition of the buildings and the space problems facing the city employees. 

We started out at the City Hall.  In the basement, in spite of the low ceiling and no windows, rooms had been furnished for computer training and for storing files.  


Basement Storage

There was a problem with water leakage into the room with the files so the floor had been built up.  Upstairs again, we were able to see the offices beyond the Building Permit area.  In square footage some of the offices were somewhat lacking.  In one larger area, cubicles had been set up.

From there we went to the South Annex which was put together in 1994 from seven modular units as temporarily added space.  Mr. Walker pointed out as we walked up to the building that the skirt of the building (where the building meets the sidewalk) was beginning to rot.  Inside he explained that the restrooms were a problem because they are in immediate adjacency to the offices.  Two offices were closed due to termites.  At certain times, one can actually see them in full activity.

Courtyard in "Rabbit Hutches" Office Space

Court yard in "Rabbit Hutches"

We then walked over to the Sunnyvale Office Center which the city had purchased in 2001.  These are affectionately referred to as the "rabbit hutches."  Not all of the offices are occupied.  Even those which are occupied are not all being used by city workers.  Some have been rented out privately. Mr. Walker could not tell us how many city employees were in these office spaces at the present time because the numbers fluctuate according to need.

Basement Storage in "Rabbit Hutches"

Mr. Walker said that the problem is not really space but rather the arrangement of that space.  The City Manager would like to have certain offices in the near vicinity, ie.the same building.  As is now the case, the employees are sometimes walking across Olive Ave. to see the City Manager.

At the Office Center we were made aware of the modulating roof which would be extremely costly to repair, of the wood rot and of the fact that the complex is not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible.  The restrooms are very simple but functional.  We were led into the basement which has some leakage problems as in the basement of the City Hall.  We were shown a duct which has holes it it where water and muck accumulates. 






Ducting in the Basement is Very Loud



Rot in Roof of "Rabbit Hutches"

It should also be stated here that during a meeting of the Neighborhood Association chairmen/women in the fall of 2012, Mr. Walked stated that the city had neglected to repair the buildings at the Civic Center in the last ten years.  This has been due to the indecision by the city as to what to do with the Civic Center...renovation or new construction.

Oct./Nov Newsletter

(Permanent link for future reference:
http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2012/11/octnov-newsletter.html )

A big “Thank You” goes out to everyone who has signed up until now!  The sheer number of supporters helps us greatly when we speak before the council.

Another big “Thank You” to those who emailed the City Council at council@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us and/or the Sunnyvale Sun at cvongsarath@community-newspapers.com .  The Sun has published several letters now.  Our letter can be seen at:

http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2012/10/our-letter-in-sunnyvale-sun.html

The letters you sent have definitely had an effect.  At the City Council meeting of October 16^th,Deborah Marks read (anonymously) some of the impassioned emails we have received asking for a public vote on this issue.  Council members Jim Davis, Tony Spitaleri, and City Manager Gary Luebbers accused us (falsely, in our opinion) of spreading incorrect information.  All our information is from the City staff and Council members.  The City Council and City Manager saw our flier before we distributed it to anyone else and said nothing at the time.  We feel this is an attempt on their part to discredit what we are doing and slow our efforts to reach the public.  We have offered to meet with the City Council Members and the City manager to establish a productive relationship and discover what they feel are inaccuracies.  We hope they will accept our invitation so we can begin a productive dialogue.

At the last presentation by City Staff on the sale/lease of the Civic Center city staff said it would entail a non-competitive relationship with a builder/buyer.  They call this a “public-private partnership”.  City staff has indicated it will be decided by City Council without a public vote.  Avoiding both a public vote and competitive bidding may leave the City open to lawsuits.  The proposed new library alone will cost around $70M.  If the new City Hall and Public Safety building cost similar amounts the total will be around $200M compared to the annual general fund budget of $150M.  On the national level this would be like a $4 Trillion enterprise financed by selling Yellowstone, Yosemite, and other national treasures.

A public vote of all voters on the potential sale/lease of the Civic Center will enable the City Council to air their views and answer questions.  Currently there is no explanation as to why the only guidance given to the city staff was to explore the sale of the Civic Center.  If the buildings need renovation or more office space is needed, those avenues should be evaluated for cost and practicality.  They are not. Why is there not consideration of a public vote asking to fund additions and upgrades to existing buildings?

We are busily distributing fliers throughout Sunnyvale.  If anyone wants to help, please let us know.  We are at the Farmers’ Market most Saturdays and on Sundays in front of the library on Olive Ave.  They can also be distributed in your neighborhood on your daily walk. 

In talking to people we come away knowing that 9 out of 10 people do not support the sale/lease of the 14 acres at the Civic Center.  Perhaps 1 of those 10 sends an e-mail to us or the City Council.  Please let your neighbors/friends and -relatives know that it’s very important to e-mail their support so that we have the ability to apply even more pressure on the council and city government.

For up-to-date information please go to our blog at http://cspgs.blogspot.com/.  You will find links to the city’s information on the topic, e.g. the slides of their presentation at the library on July 31^st of this year.  We have also posted a photo tour of the beautiful trees at the Civic Center. 

Thanks again to everyone for their wonderful support and we’ll keep you posted!

Deborah Marks and Michael Goldman

Citizens for Sunnyvale’s Parks and Green Spaces (CSPGS)

Sunnyvale - Tree City, USA II

permalink: http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2012/11/sunnyvale-tree-city-usa-ii.html

Continuing on a walk from the corner of Mathilda Ave. and El Camino, one goes down Mathilda toward the City Hall.  On the left one can see a grouping of 15 very tall pine trees just past All America Way.  

There’s a sidewalk to the left and then again another grove of 7 trees and at the corner of Mathilda Ave. and Olive Ave. another grove consisting of 14 trees. 

Behind the city hall next to the annex is a half-century old cork tree…not something you find everyday!

Cork Tree

These trees provide shade, cool the area around them and help clean the air by taking in the carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen.  We are told many times of the need to preserve our trees because of their value to our communities and to the quality of the air we breathe.

Library

Enjoy a walk through the pines and redwoods in this small park one morning, afternoon or early evening.  Stand under these tall majestic trees and look up at the sky.  Think about how long it would take to replace such a tree.  Ask yourself if they are not worth saving for our own and for future generations. 

About three years ago when the trees along California Ave. in Palo Alto were suddenly removed all on one day, many people in the city were shocked and dismayed.  The city government met with the residents and listened to their concerns.  Plans were drawn up to immediately replace the trees.  At that time one city official was heard remarking:  “Well, we certainly don’t want to look like Sunnyvale!”

Our city does have less urban forestry in comparison to many cities to the north of us.  Let’s not give them a reason to make such statements about our city in the future!

Let’s stand up for these city green spaces and the beautiful mature trees which have stood their ground for 50 years and more!