Library ad hoc committee narrows scaled options as city warns funding likely requires voter measure amid major streets backlog

At a meeting of the library–community center ad hoc committee, city staff and the consultant team presented scaled design and cost options for a co‑located library and senior center and warned that financing the project alongside an urgent streets backlog would likely require a voter tax or bond measure. City Manager Todd Heilman and consultants described three principal alternatives — a renovation, a renovation-plus-addition and a larger new‑construction option — and gave cost ranges and timeline guidance for council consideration.

Why it matters: The committee was asked to frame recommendations for the city council while officials weigh whether to include a library ask with broader capital needs. Todd Heilman said the city faces a major streets funding shortfall and that the library options must be sized against that reality; consultants said design choices and market escalation make exact cost estimates variable.

The options and costs: Consultant presenters outlined three core program scenarios. - A renovation of existing buildings (option A) was shown with a 2025-dollar low estimate near $18.8 million and a high near $22.6 million; the presentation escalated that range to roughly $21 million–$25.3 million to reflect anticipated construction cost increases. - A renovation of the 1930s community room plus new construction to about 27,300 square feet (option B) had a 2025-dollar low of roughly $32.8 million and a high of $37.1 million (escalated to about $36.6 million–$41.4 million). - A larger new construction option of about 40,780 square feet (option C) had a 2025-dollar low near $47.5 million…