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La Habra approves long-term, rent-free lease with County of Orange for branch library renovation
Summary
The council authorized a long-term, rent-free lease with the County of Orange for the city-owned La Habra Branch Library building (221 E. La Habra Blvd). The county will fund an estimated $6.6 million renovation; the lease runs to December 2060 and includes a provision requiring reimbursement for improvements if the city terminates early.
City staff asked the council to approve and authorize execution of a new long-term lease with the County of Orange to keep library services operating at the city-owned La Habra Branch Library building at 221 East La Habra Boulevard. Staff said the county approved a total construction budget of approximately $6,600,000 for renovations that include ADA upgrades, HVAC and mechanical replacement, a new roof and interior improvements; the county will pay construction and renovation costs. "The county has agreed to fully cover all the costs for the construction and renovation costs," staff said during the presentation.
Under the proposed agreement the lease term runs through December 2060 with two five-year extensions, is rent-free to the county, and clarifies maintenance responsibilities: the city will maintain landscaping and some exterior systems while the county will be responsible for interior operations and special library equipment. Staff highlighted a provision that, if the city terminates the lease before 2045, the city would need to negotiate cost assessment and reimburse the county for improvements. Samantha Smith, Orange County librarian, described plans to expand programming space, ADA access, and mobile services during construction. The council moved to approve the lease and the motion carried unanimously.
