City staff launches community engagement for Library Park site plan

Kathy Billings, director of the South Pasadena Public Library, told the Finance Commission that the city began a site‑plan study to explore a rebuilt or reimagined Library Park campus that could combine library, senior and community services.

Billings said the existing library and senior center buildings (excluding the historic Community Room built in 1930) are more than 43 years old, do not meet current accessibility or building codes in all respects and lack the kinds of flexible program and meeting spaces residents now expect. She said weekday usage regularly reaches 700 to more than 1,000 visitors on busy days, straining current space.

The current phase is a needs assessment and site analysis that staff and consultants will use to produce concept alternatives. The project schedule includes two rounds of community engagement: an initial round through early summer to gather needs and preferences, and a second round to test design concepts. A public survey will remain open through June 1; a staffed open house and workshop will be held April 9 (open house 4 p.m.–6 p.m., workshop 6:30 p.m.) and again the following morning. Staff also plans pop‑up outreach at the farmers market, the Garfield Park Extravaganza and other community events.

Billings described the site plan as the foundation for later phases that could include fundraising, design and construction. The project team will analyze constraints such as the historic Community Room and existing landscape features, including mature trees. She said final site plan recommendations are expected to go to City Council by mid‑October.

Billings asked commissioners to help spread information about the survey and outreach events; commissioners and members of the public stressed the importance of early community engagement and noted that funding strategies will be a later, separate conversation.