Glendora workshop maps repair, canopy and modernization options for library; staff asked to refine plans and seek funding

Glendora's mayor and staff told residents at a special workshop that the Glendora Public Library needs targeted structural strengthening and waterproofing and that broader modernization or replacement would cost substantially more.

Assistant City Manager and interim Public Works Director Moises Lopez summarized decades of assessments and repairs and said updated engineering from MHP in 2026 estimates the targeted structural strengthening and plaza waterproofing construction at approximately $3.2 million, excluding design and other soft costs. Lopez said the MHP phase‑1/phase‑2 work from 2023 produced an earlier construction estimate of about $2.87 million and that a separate facility‑condition assessment projected roughly $7 million in building‑system needs over 20 years.

"The library's main structural cracking appears stable, but waterproofing and targeted strengthening remain necessary," Lopez said, adding that nonstructural emergency‑operations‑center (EOC) systems—mechanical, electrical and plumbing—would add roughly $200,000–$400,000 to bring the building to full EOC readiness.

Contractor Michael Matthews, who presented conceptual drawings for a high canopy and plaza cover, said a coordinated canopy plus structural work could be a way to remove rainfall loading from the plaza surface and extend usable public space. "If we've got $10,000,000 in my pocket, I'd love to have that conversation," Matthews said, describing the canopy concept as a way to reduce top‑side water intrusion and create year‑round community space while designers test load and anchorage details.

Lopez and MHP staff stressed that the $3.2 million figure covers defined structural work and plaza waterproofing only and excludes design, permitting, interior modernization and comprehensive EOC upgrades. Staff recommended carrying a larger project allowance—roughly $4 million–$4.5 million—if council wanted to pursue a repair‑plus‑some‑modernization scenario.

For more extensive expansion concepts developed in 2023 visioning, MHP's massing studies estimated hard‑construction costs in 2023 at roughly $20.6 million to $23.0 million for a modernized library of about 50,000 square feet; staff called those figures conceptual and subject to revision during final design.

Asked about continuity of service during any closure, staff said a leased temporary facility of at least 7,000 square feet would best sustain full programming; portable solutions would preserve only core lending services. Lopez noted one‑year transition costs for relocation, vehicles and technology could range from about $3.15 million to $3.78 million compared with the library's current operating budget of about $2.95 million.

On funding, staff reminded the public that a prior 2023 application to the state's Building Forward grant sought $8 million and was not selected; Lopez said staff was working with State Sen. Sasha Perez's office on a potential state budget request near $10 million for the next fiscal year but cautioned appropriations are not guaranteed. Jack Arton, the senator's field representative at the meeting, said the office would advocate but that any allocation would be decided in Sacramento and, if approved, would likely appear in next year's budget cycle.

Councilmembers and members of the public debated repair‑only versus replacement and whether to pursue a canopy, phased renovation or a new building. Several residents urged keeping the library as an active community hub; the president of the Glendora Public Library Friends Foundation, Marilyn Sparks, emphasized the library's role as a safe space for children and long‑term benefits for literacy.

At the end of the workshop, the council voted to direct staff to refine the library scenarios (including further structural analysis, a canopy study and cost updates), pursue state and federal funding opportunities and return with an update by Nov. 10. The council also authorized staff to begin limited soft‑cost and technical work and to seek an amended agreement with MHP to update structural analyses and cost estimates.

What happens next: staff will refine the scope and costs for repair‑only, repair‑plus‑canopy, and expanded renovation options, add detailed MEP/EOC cost estimates, and present funding scenarios (grants, one‑time funds, phased work, and public‑private options) for workshop 3.