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Council discusses library options and community‑center locations as part of budget planning
Summary
Council members asked staff to continue searching for library sites and evaluate community‑center options (including a possible Lincoln Park location) and partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club; staff warned of operating‑cost tradeoffs and will return with cost estimates and location options.
Council members renewed their request that staff pursue options to expand library access and to evaluate community center locations that would improve walkability and service to neighborhoods.
Discussion covered tradeoffs between one larger centralized library (20,000 square feet was cited as the current planning benchmark) versus multiple smaller neighborhood branches. One council member favored a single, larger facility; others preferred distributed, smaller sites to increase accessibility. Staff said the county remains a potential partner and that building, staffing and ongoing operating costs would have notable budget implications.
The Boys & Girls Club and the idea of locating a community center near Lincoln Park and McKenna Park received concentrated discussion. Council members described past use patterns, noted problems of accessibility when the nonprofit operated from the performing‑arts center, and asked staff to look at several city‑owned parcels (including a three‑acre parcel near Highland Avenue) and other sites that may be viable for a public‑private partnership. Staff agreed to inventory potential buildings and sites, provide cost and operating estimates, and to bring options back for council consideration.
Council did not take formal action but asked staff to prepare a workshop item showing funding options, partnership models and operating cost estimates for libraries and community centers so the council can weigh them against other capital priorities.
