Title
Recommendation to Receive an Update and Provide Direction on a Branch Library at Alameda Point. (Library 21052300) [Continued from June 4, 2024]
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since Fall 2023, City of Alameda (City) staff have been in discussions with Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) and MidPen Housing (MidPen) about the feasibility and options to build a branch library in the RESHAP (Rebuilding Existing Supportive Housing at Alameda Point) development, specifically located on Pan Am Way near W. Midway Avenue. The architects for MidPen, David Baker Architects, incorporated high level concepts for an Alameda Point branch library (AP Branch Library), adjacent to the planned community facility (called the Barn). The City, APC and MidPen hosted a community input meeting on April 16, 2024 with APC residents. Participants were very positive about the inclusion of a library in the 7.9-acre RESHAP development and provided feedback on the types of programs that would draw them to use the library. Preliminary plans include a 4,800-square-foot branch library with space dedicated for public events, quiet study rooms, tool lending, and library materials in various formats. Additional outreach to the broader community is needed and funding has not yet been identified for the project.
Staff seeks City Council direction to continue developing the AP Branch Library design and identify funding sources for construction and operations. If City Council directs staff to continue working on the AP Branch Library project, there will continue to be multiple decision points brought to City Council for consideration and approval throughout the project development, which at any time could include direction to no longer pursue the AP Branch Library at this this location. The concept design, final design, acceptance of grant or other fund sources, and any collaborative use agreement will each require City Council approval. The AP Branch Library project is also contingent upon securing funding.
BACKGROUND
The City’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan Priority to Enhance Community Safety and Services includes Project CS1 to explore opportunities for an AP Branch Library, including interim options for service expansion. Similarly, the Alameda Free Library’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan identified establishing a presence at Alameda Point as a strategic priority. Moreover, the Friends of the Alameda Free Library strongly support a branch library at Alameda Point and are committed to providing funding.
RESHAP is a housing development project that will develop 7.9 acres of City-owned land at Alameda Point into a trauma-informed campus to serve those most in need. The RESHAP project is led by APC, Building Futures, and Operation Dignity in partnership with MidPen and the City. When completed, the campus will have 332 units of affordable housing, including 201 replacement units for existing residents and 131 new units.
In addition to housing, the project will offer community and economic development initiatives. These initiatives include afterschool and youth programs, a central plaza, and a unique one-stop workforce development center in a facility called the Barn, adjacent to an urban farm. Some of the proposed activities include space for community gatherings, job training, employment opportunities through environmentally sustainable social enterprise businesses, and educational programs about health, nutrition, and horticulture through the Ploughshares Nursery Farm.
APC, Building Futures, Operation Dignity, and MidPen secured the campus site by entering into a Disposition and Development Agreement with the City. They also obtained land use and environmental approvals for the project.
In September 2023, City staff first met with APC and MidPen to explore the potential opportunity to locate a branch library in the RESHAP development, adjacent to the Barn. An AP Branch Library is a unique opportunity to bring library services to residents in the RESHAP development area, as well as the broader Alameda community, particularly with unique offerings such as a Tool Lending Library.
Acting Library Director Marlon Romero, Library Board President Sara Strickler, and Library Board Vice President Thushan Amarasiriwardena participated in outreach to APC residents on April 16, 2024. Participants were asked to indicate which services would bring them to the library and provide their input and ideas on potential library programming. The most popular services identified were programs and events, using technology, connecting with community services, meeting with a social worker, a place to study or work, and checking out tools. Overall, the participants were enthusiastic about having a branch library as part of the development.
On May 8, 2024, the Library Board received a report from the Library Director about the April 16, 2024 community outreach event.
DISCUSSION
The current vision is to locate an AP Branch Library within the RESHAP site, adjacent to the Barn and south of Building 35 adjacent to Pan Am Way near W. Midway Avenue (Exhibit 1). Preliminary space planning envisions a single story 4,800 square foot building with dedicated space for public events, quiet study rooms, an area for lending tools, kitchen supplies and other do-it-yourself project items, library materials in various formats for all ages, and staff work areas (Exhibit 2). This location is ideal for ease of access for both RESHAP residents and the broader Alameda community. It is easily accessible with an AC Transit Line 96 bus stop located within the same block in addition to planned bicycle parking, ample street parking and an interior parking lot with some spaces dedicated to the library.
While space planning and programmatic elements for the AP Branch Library still need to be refined through broad community input, feedback from APC residents during the April 16, 2024 community meeting provided City staff with a preliminary roadmap. In addition to regular events for all ages, design and programming opportunities could include access to technology, areas to meet with service providers and receive social/community resources, a quiet place to work and study, and access to tools and equipment. The Tool Lending Library would be unique as a service in the Alameda Free Library system and could include checking out equipment for crafting, cooking, car and home repair, gardening, and recreational activities. This aligns with both the interests expressed by APC residents as well as with the Library’s community-wide tool lending survey results.
Locating a branch library and workforce development programs next to each other provides opportunities for collaboration and creates efficiencies by minimizing the duplication of services and space. For example, the library could provide a technology lab available for both RESHAP residents and the broader Alameda community. Additionally, community meeting rooms and a kitchen at the Barn could be available for library programming. Further coordination would be required between the City and the RESHAP partners on infrastructure and joint use of facilities as part of a future formal agreement that would be brought to City Council for approval.
Additionally, outreach to the broader Alameda community is necessary to refine programmatic elements and space allocation for the AP Branch Library. Upon completing community outreach, City staff would engage with the RESHAP project architect, David Baker Architects, to design the branch library. The architectural firm has graciously agreed to complete the branch library design work at no cost, which the City greatly appreciates as it reduces the project cost.
The rough estimate to construct, furnish, and stock a 4,800 square foot branch library with books, tools, and other materials is $4 million. The AP Branch Library will also require additional annual funding for facility maintenance and staff to operate a third branch library. The estimated annual cost to operate the AP Branch Library is $400,000. At this time, no funding is confirmed. However, staff is exploring options and will continue to seek opportunities that could include grants, new market tax credits, state earmarks, Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development (AHEAD) funds, a City infrastructure bond, General Fund Residual Fund Balance, and any other funding opportunities. Additionally, the Friends of the Alameda Free Library, who were instrumental in furnishing the Main Library, have expressed a strong interest in a major fundraising campaign for a branch library at Alameda Point.
In June 2024, the RESHAP developer Catellus, will begin work on the first phase of the project, which includes the site of the proposed branch library. Base site preparation should conclude in September 2025, with construction of the first phase of affordable housing beginning in March 2026, which is not yet fully funded. Construction for the first phase is scheduled to conclude in March 2028. Based on this timeline, the City has a couple years to identify and secure funding and receive final City Council approval for the new AP Branch Library.
Staff seeks direction from City Council on whether to continue pursuing design, funding, and construction of a branch library within the RESHAP development in collaboration with APC, Building Futures, Operation Dignity, and MidPen. Should City Council direct staff to further pursue a branch library at this location, there will be numerous decision points throughout the project that will require staff to return to City Council for direction and approval. This is the first step in a multi-year process.
ALTERNATIVES
• Direct staff to continue to design the facility, solicit community input and secure funding for the AP Branch Library with each key decision and authorization being brought to City Council for authorization and approval.
• Provide direction to staff on any aspect of a branch library at Alameda Point, which could include a different location, programming, design or funding options.
• Direct staff to no longer pursue a branch library anywhere at Alameda Point.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the City from receiving this update. However, the AP Branch Library project would require an estimated $4 million to design, construct and furnish as well as an estimated $400,000 for annual operations. This funding is not yet identified or confirmed. All funding would be subject to future City Council approval.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
City Strategic Plan, Project CS1: Explore opportunities for a branch library at Alameda Point, including interim options for service expansion.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action to update City Council does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report. Any building design will comply with the City’s adopted building ordinances in regards to electrification and efficiency.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive an update and provide direction on a Branch Library at Alameda Point.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Eitner, Library Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Proposed Site Plan
2. Preliminary Space Planning for Alameda Point Library