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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/12/2005 - STAFF REPORTS (2) PALM SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY 300 S. SUNRISE E WAS', ]PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262 760-322-8369 FAX: 760-320-9834 Memorandum Date: October 3, 2005 To: City Council Via: David Ready, City Manager From: Barbara Roberts, Director of Library Services RE: Library space planning feasibility study presentation The current Library building was opened in 1975 as the main library for Palm Springs. Once the last branch was closed in 1992, this building became the only library in the City. There have been two small additions to the building in its 30 year history, neither of which addressed any infrastructure issues. In addition, the mission and scope of services of libraries have evolved from the "warehouse" concept to a "town square" concept resulting in different needs and uses for space. Knowing the physical Library building is in great need of repair and renovation, the Library Board of Trustees voted to have a professional architectural evaluation of the building competed that also addressed space needs for the future. After a RFP process, Pfeiffer Partners of Los Angeles was hired using funds from the Friends of the Palm Springs Library and Measure Y to complete a space feasibility study. Pfeiffer Partners were directed to evaluate the physical condition of the building and all its systems, and in addition to make space recommendations for an expansion based on these questions: • Can the current Library be expanded while retaining the architectural lines of the original Cody building? • Can the current Library building be expanded sufficiently to obtain the necessary public meeting spaces? • Can the current Library site support an expanded or new building? • Is the current building unable to be expanded/remodeled to meet future needs necessitating a completely new building? The attached executive summary from Pfeiffer Partners gives an overview of their findings. Their presentation at the October 12, 2005 study session will give more detail as well as provide a possible model, exterior elevations and a potential floor plan for an expansion/remodel. Item No. V V 1 . �P1 FEI fFF fER J L,� IJJ )inc architecture n interiors o planning September 30, 2005 PALM SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA RENOVATION AND EXPANSION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Palm Springs Public Library moved into its current Library Center in 1975 with great celebration. The building was one of the last buildings designed by one of Palm Springs' more renowned"desert modernists", William Cody, who practiced in the area for over 30 years. Though the building has had two small additions—reorienting its front door to the east and filling in one of its courtyards with enclosed space—the building has remained very much as it was thirty years ago. The study conducted over the past five months includes an evaluation of the building itself,the development of a space needs program for future use, and the creation of a concept plan for renovation and expansion. The information outlined below is a summary of the findings of this study. Building Evaluation The 30 year old Cody designed Library Center has a distinctively"desert"style. The library is part of Palm Springs'increasingly important collection of mid-century modern buildings, and in meetings with users and the community is clearly a well-loved facility. Its architecture and its structure are generally in good shape and should serve the City for some time to come. However, at 30 years old, its original mechanical and electrical systems are nearing the end of their useful life and will need to be replaced to allow for another 30 years of library use. The original multi-zone air handling equipment is currently in fair to poor condition and does not meet current State energy conservation requirements (Title 24). There is also inadequate air flow to certain areas of the library, particularly at perimeter offices,creating difficulties in temperature control; an attempt to address this issue with air boosters 20 years ago has caused noise problems without improving the air flow. Dirt coming from the registers suggests a deterioration of duct linings. Electrical systems, including main service switchboards, panelboards, and the motor control center, are also near the end of their useful life. Distribution of outlets and dataports is inadequate for today's technologies and equipment. Lighting is original, and consumes much higher amounts of energy than new energy-efficient, high output fixtures. While automatic sprinkler systems were not required in the 1970's, all buildings of this type need them today and an expansion of the project will require that the existing building be outfitted with sprinklers and an upgraded fire alarm system. It is recommended that all these items be addressed as part of the renovation and expansion with a replacement of major systems and distribution through the building. 911 WES f 71 FI Sl REE1 m 71'H FLOOR .; LOSANCELES,CALIFORNIA 90017;= 'i 213.6242775 :, F2138950923 .. wwwpfelfferpannerscm 224 CENTRE Si REEL n 5TH FLOOR s NEWYORK,NEW YORK 10013 7 k 212 625 3911 ,, 7 212 625 3306 Page 2 of 3 Program Space Needs The team included a library program specialist who has worked State-wide in the development of space needs programs for specific cities. In May and June 2005, a number of focus groups including a wide range of the Palm Springs community were conducted to explore how people currently use the library and what their expectations were in the future. At the same time, programming sessions were held with library department staff about the functional aspects of the building. And finally, demographic data was assembled for up to the year 2020,and the compiled data was compared to facilities currently serving or being planned for other similarly sized communities. The result is a recommendation to expand the current 35,000 sf facility by 25,000 sf,to provide a 60,000 sf integrated complex. While space for the current library collection of books and material is adequate, and needs only modest expansion for projected growth, the library's space for reader seating and computers is highly deficient for a facility serving both its year-long population as well as its winter population. An increase of over 50% (from 188 seats to 298 seats) is recommended to put the Palm Springs Library within the range of seating capacities that is the norm for new libraries in California in cities of this size. Specific seating allocations will improve lounge seating near new books, youth seating in the children's area,seating for teens, and a range of group study and quiet seating areas to control noise issues. Many people come to libraries in the 215t century to access digital date-bases and to use computers for internet research and email. The recommendation is to more than double the number of computers in the building,to nearly 100 including a small training center, and to make the library wirelessly accessible so that visitors can use laptops to access the library catalogue and the internet. Adequate space is also allocated for library programs such as its literacy program, Friend's Book Sale,self- checkout kiosks, and processing. Libraries are increasingly seen as places where community-related meetings and events can occur, and the current facility lacks sufficient space for such programs. The existing meeting room/learning center is hampered by its size,furnishings, acoustics, and equipment. It is recommended that a new multi-purpose room with a capacity of 200 seats be part of the project, along with several smaller 15-25 seat meeting rooms and an expanded children's story room, all equipped with technologies that allow for easy use by library staff and the public. With such facilities,the library can conduct a wide range of programs—from author talks to children's puppet shows, including films, lectures, book sales, and presentations. A Plan for Expansion The new 25,000 sf addition is planned on the south side of the library which would include a new main entrance from parking;an expanded new books and browsing area; public meeting rooms, exhibit area, and bookshop;and a new youth services(children's) room including new program space. The existing library would then be renovated with a new interior layout to consolidate staff in one location, and provide diverse and comfortable seating and main collection areas for media&books and adults&teens. The architectural design of the addition is respectful of Cody's original building and uses sympathetic colors and forms to provide an integrated design for the complex. At the projects southeast corner,the double-height meeting room and new entrance to the library would create a distinctive new signature for the library which would enhance its visibility from Sunrise Way. Though parking for the library is adequate at present with 126 spaces, with the expansion-and focus on increasing user seating-provisions for additional parkingwouldl be required. Guidelines recommend providing a total of 202 spaces based on the increased size of the library,which would be constructed to the south of the current parking area. Approximately 20 existing spaces would be impacted by the new construction and would have to be replaced. Page 3 of 3 Implementation and Costs The renovation and expansion of the library is planned to be phased to allow for on-going library operations to continue functioning on-site. The new addition would be built first,and then the renovation would occur in three phases. If design work were started in 2006,the fully renovated and expanded library could be complete by mid- 2009. Estimated costs for the library are in line with similar public projects in California. New building construction costs are estimated at$6.3 million ($260/sf)and renovation costs, including all new systems, are$6.2 million ($164/sf). Site work including the expanded parking areas is estimated at$850,000. With new furnishings,technology equipment,fees, moving costs, and contingencies,the overall cast model for the project is$18.4 million based on a mid-2009 completion. If a later completion is contemplated, additional escalation would need to be factored into these figures. Summary The Palm Springs Public Library enjoys wide support from its users, many of whom consider it"my"library. A renovation and expansion would allow for new library services, diverse seating areas, public gathering spaces, and the ability to attract interesting programs to ensure that current and future users would be equally devoted and proud of this most public city facility where they can"discover,enrich,enjoy, and connect'.