Title
Workshop to Discuss Infrastructure and Facility Needs for Libraries, City Parks and Recreation Facilities (City Manager 10021030)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) faces a critical and growing backlog of more than $800 million in deferred maintenance needs and facility upgrades. Tonight’s workshop, the third in a series of four public discussions, focuses on libraries, recreation facilities, and City parks. Key areas of need include:
• Recreation and Parks: Addressing a $200+ million backlog for park development, amenities, American with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, recreation buildings and athletic facilities. Projects include completing the Jean Sweeney Open Space Park, addressing significant deferred maintenance on parks and facilities, and implementing ADA upgrades.
• Libraries: Advancing critical Strategic Plan projects, including the expansion of the Bay Farm Island Library ($5-$10 million), establishing library services at Alameda Point ($500,000), and renovating the Main Library to provide modernized facilities and programming ($5 million). Library visitation and program attendance have seen significant growth (up 16% and 19% respectively in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25), demonstrating increasing demand for these services.
Recent voter surveys indicate strong support for addressing infrastructure funding, with 64% of Alameda voters in June 2024 expressing a need for additional funding, and 68% showing initial support for an infrastructure bond that could help fund these needs. Staff will continue public engagement through April 2026 to assess the feasibility of a potential 2026 revenue measure.
BACKGROUND
For many years, the City has faced a significant backlog of maintenance and facility upgrades necessary to meet current standards and plan for future needs. To address this comprehensively, City staff has been presenting these needs through a series of four public City Council workshops this fall:
• Streets and Traffic Safety (September 2)
• City Facilities and Public Safety (October 7)
• Libraries and Recreation and Parks (Tonight, November 4)
• Flood Protection, Sea Level and Ground Water Rise, and Disaster Preparedness (December 2)
Strategic Plan Projects
The City’s 2025-2026 Progress Report for Alameda’s Strategic Plan outlines specific Library and Recreation and Parks projects that are in addition to essential operational services:
|
Department |
Strategic Plan Project |
|
Library |
CS1: Explore opportunities for a branch library at Alameda Point, including interim options for service expansion |
|
|
CS2: Plan, fund, and construct a tool and seed library at Jean Sweeney Open Space Park |
|
|
CS3: Reimagine and update community library spaces, including teen room and computer lab |
|
Recreation and Parks |
CS5: Expand recreation programs and events to include broader and inclusive participation |
|
|
CS8: Expand access to Pickleball with new court construction or partnerships with existing courts |
|
|
CS9: Explore indoor pickleball courts at vacant retail locations |
|
|
CS11: Coordinate with AUSD on the rebuild of the Alameda High School swim center |
|
|
CS13: Design and construct Cityview Skate Park expansion |
|
|
CS14: Jean Sweeney Park Trail Connector Project |
|
|
CC4: Complete De-Pave Park design and seek construction funding |
|
|
TIEH19: Implement ADA plan for city programs, facilities, parks, streets, and sidewalks |
|
|
TIEH35b: Assess and address infrastructure of Veteran’s building |
|
|
TIEH35c: Identify reuse opportunities for the Carnegie Building |
Resident Survey
Public opinion surveys indicate a growing recognition of the City’s infrastructure needs.
• June 2024 Survey (95% confidence level): 64% of Alameda voters expressed a need for additional infrastructure funding, an increase from 54% in 2023. Initial support for an infrastructure bond ballot measure was 68%.
• December 2023 Survey (95% confidence level): While roads, street repairs, and climate protection were top priorities, the following library and park projects were considered extremely or very important by more than a third of respondents:
o Repairing and upgrading parks
o Completing Jean Sweeney Open Space Park
o Upgrading ADA access for people with disabilities at City buildings, including libraries and recreation centers
DISCUSSION
Current funding is insufficient to maintain the status quo and is not enough to address new unfunded needs identified in the Strategic Plan. This report focuses on the infrastructure needs for the City’s existing Libraries and Recreation Facilities and City Parks, which include:
• Main Library and two existing Branch Libraries (West End and Bay Farm)
• 35 City parks totaling 300 acres
• 12 recreation centers
• 14 outdoor restroom buildings
• 3 boat ramp/docks
• 19 sport fields
• 15 tennis courts
• 8 pickleball courts
• 17 basketball courts
• 4 specialty facilities (Mastick, Veterans, O’Club, Alameda Point Gym)
• 10 miles of sidewalks and trails
• 26 playgrounds
• 4 pools
• 2 dog parks
• 1 skate park
• Golf Complex - Managed by Operator under a lease agreement with the City
Recreation and Parks Needs
The community’s park system, established in 1894, is facing mounting infrastructure challenges. While new parks have been added in recent years, many of the City’s 35 parks and 27 recreation facilities are operating well beyond their intended lifespans, with aging buildings, outdated irrigation systems, worn playgrounds, and deferred maintenance that threaten safety, accessibility, and overall community enjoyment. The City’s park system is the third oldest in the state of California and while this is a point of pride, it also means the parks are many decades old with aging infrastructure.
To preserve these vital public assets for future generations, the City must establish a sustainable, long-term funding source dedicated to infrastructure renewal and modernization. Investing now in comprehensive repairs, energy-efficient upgrades, and resilient design will ensure Alameda parks continue to serve as safe, inclusive, and vibrant spaces that support the health and well-being of the entire community.
ARPD Project Details and Estimated Costs
The deferred maintenance backlog for the Alameda Recreation and Park Department (ARPD) is extensive. Current funding is insufficient to maintain the status quo and is not enough to address new unfunded infrastructure needs. The estimated cost for the next ten years is broken down in the chart below:
|
Existing Facilities |
Cost |
|
Park Amenities |
$43.5 million |
|
Park ADA improvements |
$5 million |
|
Recreation Centers |
$19 million |
|
Park Specialty Buildings |
$18 million |
|
Total |
$85.5 million |
|
Planned, Unfunded Facilities |
Cost |
|
New Park Projects (listed below) |
$66 million |
|
Sports Complex |
$65 million |
|
Total |
$131 million |
Park amenities include playgrounds, athletic facilities such as fields, gym and courts, lighting, utility infrastructures and other supporting amenities.
Unfunded Park Projects include:
• De-Pave Park
• Seaplane Lagoon Phases 2 & 3
• Completion of Jean Sweeney Park
• Regional Sports Complex
• Enterprise Park
The backlog of deferred maintenance and park development has challenged the department to keep facilities functioning and safe for the public to use. However, ARPD has made progress extending the lifespan of parks facilities by utilizing grants, establishing capital replacement programs, and support from the Alameda Friends of the Parks Foundation.
Alameda Free Library Needs
The Library’s 2000-2025 Strategic Plan includes the goals of expanding the Bay Farm Island Library, establishing a library presence at Alameda Point (AP), and opening a seed and tool lending library. The latter two are also mentioned in the City’s Strategic Plan. The Library is currently updating its Strategic Plan.
These projects are important to meet the needs of the Alameda community. Over the past two fiscal years, the Library experienced growth in key performance indicators.
|
|
FY 2023-24 |
FY 2024-25 |
% Change |
|
Checkouts |
725,380 |
759,514 |
+5% |
|
Visitors |
186,521 |
216,647 |
+16% |
|
Program Attendance |
37,488 |
44,436 |
+19% |
Additionally, 2025 was Library’s most successful summer reading challenge with 4,545 participants- a 20% increase over the previous year.
Library Project Details and Estimated Costs
Expanding the Bay Farm Island Library
The Bay Farm Library opened in 1980 and currently operates without a dedicated room to host storytimes and other events. The building also lacks private study rooms that are in high demand by patrons. Storytimes are hosted in the children’s corner of the library, which limits the number of people who may attend. Due to the open nature of the building, storytimes are disruptive to people who use the space for other purposes at the same time. For larger scale events, the library partners with ARPD to use the adjacent Leydecker Recreation Center. Leydecker Recreation Center, however, is not always available for library use.
Expanding the Bay Farm Library is important to serve an increasing population with rapidly changing needs and technologies.
Establishing a Library Presence at Alameda Point
This future project was detailed in a June 2024 presentation to the City Council where it was noted that since fall 2023, City staff were discussing the feasibility and options to build a branch library in the RESHAP (Rebuilding Existing Supportive Housing at Alameda Point) development, potentially located on Pan Am Way near W. Midway Avenue. The architects for MidPen, David Baker Architects, incorporated high level concepts for an AP branch library, adjacent to the planned community facility (called the Barn).
A community input meeting was convened on April 16, 2024, with participants very positive about the inclusion of a library in the 7.9-acre RESHAP development. 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.
The City’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan Priority to Enhance Community Safety and Services include 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 supports a branch library at Alameda Point and are committed to providing funding. Other lower-cost service options will also be evaluated such as mobile library services.
Reimagine the Main Library
In the Fiscal Year 2025-27 budget, City Council approved funds to begin planning renovations of the Main Library, opened in 2006, to be responsive to current community needs and programming. This could include adding a robust library of things (tools, cookware, etc.), including a maker’s space and/or recording studio, additional study rooms, and a play area for children.
Open Seed and Tool Lending Library
A library of things, which encompasses tool lending and seeds for gardening, is a natural extension of the role of the public library: access to shared resources when people need them. The Library lacks a dedicated space to store tools and other items that form a library of things. While the Library may take advantage of a reimagined Main Library to house a tool lending library, there are no funds to implement the recommended changes.
|
Project |
Estimated Cost |
|
Library presence at Alameda Point - mobile services or new building |
$500,000 - $20 million |
|
Expansion of Bay Farm Island Library |
$5 - 10 million |
|
Reimagined Main Library |
$5 million |
|
Total |
$5.5 million - $35 million |
Community Update and Next Steps
The City is committed to engaging the community about the City’s infrastructure and facilities needs and exploring potential funding solutions. The goal is to address the City’s needs before they become more expensive, ensuring a high quality of life and resilient public infrastructure for all residents.
Phase 1: August-December 2025 (Information and Input)
o Stronger Together Webpage: The City’s website, www.alamedaca.gov/strongertogether, includes information about the City’s infrastructure needs and provides a direct channel for public input, which will be compiled and shared with the City Council.
o Social Media and Nextdoor Posts: Regular updates on existing projects and information about the City’s significant infrastructure needs are being shared, along information about the four City Council work sessions.
Following the fall engagement efforts, the City will work with FM3 Research to draft a Statistically Significant Community Poll to determine if there has been a shift in priorities over the last year and identify the community’s most pressing needs.
Phase 2: January-April 2026 (Detailed Input)
Staff will conduct in-person and online community engagement, using online surveys, social media posts, email bulletins, and direct mail to gather more detailed resident input on project proposals.
Based on this comprehensive outreach and the feedback received, City Council will be better positioned to determine whether 2026 is the right time to proceed with a revenue measure to address these pressing needs.
ALTERNATIVES
• Discuss Alameda’s infrastructure and facility needs regarding libraries, recreation programs, and City parks
• Ask staff to return with more information at a future date
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the City in discussing Alameda’s infrastructure and facility needs regarding libraries and parks. However, the projects listed, and projects included in City plans, may require financial contributions from the City that would be subject to future City Council approval.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The City of Alameda’s Strategic Plan includes strategic priorities and projects that would improve Alameda’s infrastructure and facility needs regarding libraries and recreation and parks.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action 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.
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss infrastructure and facility needs for libraries, City parks and recreation facilities.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Henry, Communications and Legislative Affairs Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director