San Rafael subcommittee previews 50,000‑sq‑ft library–community center, estimates $105 million; delivery method decision due this spring

San Rafael’s Measure P subcommittee on Feb. 23 reviewed a draft program and program‑level budget for a proposed combined library and community center and discussed procurement approaches, including progressive design‑build and traditional design‑bid‑build. Griffin Structures, retained as the project consultant, presented a preliminary cost estimate and said staff will seek subcommittee guidance on next steps.

The project as presented centers on a roughly 50,000‑square‑foot building that combines modern library services with a community center and shared multipurpose spaces. “The building program sits around 50,000 square feet total,” Griffin Structures’ Dustin Alamo told the subcommittee, outlining adult, teen and children’s areas, flexible classrooms, event space and back‑of‑house support. Library director Catherine Kufa said the draft translates to an approximately 82% increase in adult space, a 150% increase for children’s space and a 225% increase for teen spaces over the current facility.

Why it matters: the draft ties the program to funding from Measure P and tries to balance community priorities against affordability. Griffin presented a high‑level program estimate of $105,000,000, with a $52,000,000 base…