Salinas library commission approves minutes, hears multi‑million dollar parks and library project updates

The Library and Community Services Commission on Oct. 8 approved the minutes of its Sept. 10 meeting and received status updates on major parks and library capital projects, including the Hebron Family Center reconstruction, Cluster Park revitalization and the temporary closure of the John Steinbeck Library for flooring work.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the Sept. 10 minutes. Commissioner Larios Fabian, Commissioner Tafoya, Commissioner Joey Martinez, Commissioner Cervantes, Commissioner Gutierrez Garcia, Commissioner Linda Castillo and Commissioner Fong all voted yes. "Motion passed," the chair announced after roll call.

The meeting's main agenda item was an administrative report presented by Anna Amries, recreation park superintendent, and Tim (last name not specified), deputy librarian. Amries summarized progress on seven parks projects, saying the Hebron Family Center—identified in the Parks, Recreation and Library master plan as structurally unsound—has $8.1 million secured for demolition and reconstruction and a total project cost of $14 million. "If fall goes well and weather allows, we should be opening our doors at the end of this year or beginning of the following year," Amries said.

Amries told commissioners that Cluster Park received a Proposition 68 grant of $6.8 million toward a $10 million renovation that includes renovated ball fields, restrooms, a skate spot, an…