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Murrieta library expansion bid heads to City Council; staff report $388,400 pledged and $900,000 shortfall
Summary
City staff told the Library Advisory Commission eight construction bids were received and a selected bid will go to City Council for contract approval; current fundraising commitments total $388,400 while staff said the project remains roughly $900,000 short of construction costs.
Library staff reported a major milestone for the Murrieta Public Library expansion: eight bids were received for construction and staff will bring the selected bid to the City Council for contract approval the next day. "We received 8 bids back, on July 21... we are going to city council tomorrow, with the selected bid for the approval of the contract," Mr. Rossellus said. If council approves the contract, staff said they anticipate breaking ground in September.
Staff summarized fundraising commitments that will support the expansion. The Murrieta Public Library Foundation has committed a minimum of $135,000; the Friends of the Murrieta Library committed $103,400 plus $12,500 earmarked for the opening-day collection; combined water districts have pledged $110,000 and staff reported $40,000 in pending private-sector commitments. "This brings the total, fundraising commitments at this particular juncture to $388,400," staff said. At the same time, staff stated the current shortfall against known construction costs is about $900,000 and that staff will continue to pursue additional funding avenues.
Commissioners and staff discussed community outreach and partner support used to boost fundraising, including coin drives at schools and booths staffed at community events. Staff also noted partnerships with Murrieta Valley School District for in-library summer lunch programming and that programmatic benefits will continue while construction planning moves forward.
The Commission did not take a formal vote on the expansion at this meeting; staff indicated the next step is the City Council contract approval and, if approved, initiating construction activities in September.
