South Pasadena community engagement report highlights library and recreation space needs

The South Pasadena City Council convened on July 7, 2025, for a meeting of the Library/Community Center Site Plan Ad Hoc Committee, focusing on the development of a new library and community center. The meeting began with a review of the community engagement process, which saw nearly 3,000 participants, including 613 online survey respondents. The committee highlighted that approximately 80% of feedback came from residents, indicating strong local interest in the project.

Vicky, a committee member, presented the results of the engagement efforts, outlining community priorities for library and community center spaces. For library spaces, the top priorities included books for all ages, quiet reading areas, and children's play and learning. In contrast, the community center's focus was on fitness and wellness, games and hobbies, and nutrition services for seniors.

The committee discussed the recommended space requirements for the new facility, suggesting a need for 1 to 1.2 square feet of library space per resident. Current estimates indicate that the existing library space falls short of this standard, with projections showing a decrease in available space per resident as the population grows. The committee acknowledged discrepancies in population data, committing to follow up for clarification to ensure accurate planning.

Further discussions revealed that the total recommended square footage for the co-located library and community center would range from approximately 41,800 to 54,000 square feet. This figure accounts for shared spaces, which could reduce overall space requirements by about 10%. The proposed facility would include various spaces such as a children's area, a senior enrichment space, and shared community rooms.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to refine the population data and finalize the space requirements, with plans to revisit the topic in August. The committee emphasized the importance of community input in shaping the future of the library and community center, aiming to create a facility that meets the diverse needs of South Pasadena residents.