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 ...
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