Downtown Library & Affordable Housing Project Background

Background Documents

• Map of Future Downtown Developments(PDF, 3MB)
• Library Facilities Master Plan(PDF, 4MB) - In 2013, the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) engaged in a comprehensive facilities master planning process to assess the needs at each of the library branches
• Measure S Ballot Language(PDF, 97KB) - Countywide measure passed in 2016 that provides funding for library facilities.
• Downtown Plan(PDF, 9MB) - Updated in 2017, this document lays out the community's vision for downtown as well as the principals, standards, and guidelines for future development.
• DLAC Final Report(PDF, 19MB) - 2018 report completed by the Downtown Library Advisory Committee (DLAC). Following a 6 month process, DLAC recommended relocating the library into a mixed use project.
• Economics of Parking Study - Completed in March 2019 by Nelson Nygaard. This report was presented publicly to the Downtown Commission on September 26th, 2019.
• Downtown Library Subcommittee - A subcommittee of City Council members met over the course of a year (May 2019 - June 2020) to engage with stakeholder groups and the community, explore all library project options, and solicit key additional information before making their recommendation to move forward with the mixed use project concept.
• Renovation Cost Assessment Report - 2019 assessment completed by Jayson Architecture as part of the Library Subcommittee Process.
  • Memo from Library Director, Susan Nemtiz(PDF, 112KB), re: Final Renovation Cost Report
• Mixed-use Costs Assessment Report - 2020 assessment completed by Group 4 Architecture as part of the Library Subcommittee Process. Council voted to proceed with the Option D concept detailed in the report below:
  • Mixed-use Costs Assessment Report - Volume 1(PDF, 81MB)
  • Mixed-use Costs Assessment Report - Volume 2(PDF, 102MB)
• Request for Proposals (RFP)(PDF, 342KB) for Owner's Representative - An Owner's Representative serves as a project manager, bringing professional expertise to keep the project on time and within budget.
  • Following a competitive bid process, the City selected Griffin Structures, Inc(PDF, 2MB).
• Affordable Housing Developer RFP(PDF, 10MB) - The Affordable Housing Developer team will help make the Affordable housing units a reality.
  • Addendum Affordable Housing Developer RFP #1(PDF, 75KB) and Affordable Housing Developer RFP #2(PDF, 92KB)
  • Following a competitive bid process, the City selected Eden Housing and For the Future Housing(PDF, 57KB).
• Master Architect RFP(PDF, 8MB)
  • Addendum Master Architect RFP #1, Master Architect RFP #2(PDF, 83KB), and Master Architect RFP #3(PDF, 186KB)

Council Meetings & Direction

• 12/6/16 Council Meeting - Council directed staff to form a Library Advisory Committee to determine the best path forward for the Downtown Library, to develop recommendations for the development of a new permanent site for the Farmer's Market, and to develop a parking rates matrix for funding the parking portion of a potential project.
  • 12/6/16 Meeting
  • 12/6/16 Staff Report
• 6/12/18 Council Study Session - Council Received an overview presentations on creating and in out community spaces, the facilities master planning process, consolidating surface parking lots to create more opportunities for housing, facilitating the Council strategic plan of entitling 500-600 new housing units in the downtown, and establishing a permanent dedicated home for the Farmer's Market.
  • 6/12/18 Meeting
  • 6/12/18 Staff Report(PDF, 64KB)
• 6/19/18 Study Session - Council received a presentation and report on the Downtown Library Advisory Committee (DLAC) recommendation and the Downtown Parking Rate Strategy.
  • 6/19/18 Meeting
  • 6/19/18 Staff Report(PDF, 69KB)
  • 6/19/18 DT Commission Agenda Report(PDF, 103KB)
• 9/11/18 Council Meeting - Council voted to proceed with the library mixed use project, amend the parking rates, phase out parking deficiency fees, and develop a plan for redevelopment of the existing library site.
  • 9/11/18 Meeting
  • 9/11/18 Staff Report
• 5/14/19 Council Meeting - Council voted to put a hold on the decision regarding how to proceed with a Downtown Library Mixed Use Project, and approved formation of a Council Subcommittee to investigate library project alternatives, in collaboration with Library staff and the interested community.
  • 5/14/19 Meeting
  • 5/14/19 Agenda Report(PDF, 41KB)
• 6/23/20 Council Meeting - Following a year long Council Subcommittee Process, Council voted to move forward with the Mixed Use Library Project in include a new modern library, a minimum of 50 affordable housing units, and a maximum of 400 parking spaces on parking lot 4 (Cathcart, Cedar, and Lincoln Streets).
  • 6/23/20 Meeting
  • 6/23/20 Agenda Report
• 10/27/20 Council Meeting - City Council voted to approve the contract for the project Owner's Representative. Council also received a presentation from staff on broad based financial information on the housing and parking components of the project.
  • 10/27/20 Meeting
  • 10/27/20 Agenda Report(PDF, 102KB)