Why downtown library should be renovated
It is just remarkable that Bonnie Lipscomb, economic director of the City of Santa Cruz, could write a Guest Commentary Oct. 13 that claims, “... the library plan is the key to solving housing crisis”.
Ms. Lipscomb claims that the funding sources for the six story garage with library have already been identified. Despite what she writes, actual costs as well as funding sources are obviously unclear and unspecified.
Another unknown in this proposal concerns the future usage of the current library building. This building sits opposite City Hall and the Civic Center making library renovation a perfect way to solidify a Civic Center.
And what is to be the fate of the current library building? Before any decision is made to move forward or spend any funds at all this question must be answered.
There has been speculation that the current library building would be renovated for offices of city staff or even that it might be leased or sold to Amazon.
The current estimate for the multi-use complex is estimated to be $85 million – $100 million to be paid for over 30 years. That is a very large range and a tremendous expenditure for a city with a current projected $20 million budget deficit in the next two years.
Consider for a moment that the new lot for the proposed farmers market would move to Cathcart and Front streets. Ironically, very scarce parking is near that lot and the lot itself is half the size of current space on which the present farmers market stands.
Why has this not been taken into consideration in the countless hours of meetings and discussions about this topic?
Does Santa Cruz need a 400-space parking garage? Consultants hired to study the matter state “no.” And who will be the population to most enjoy a library on the first floor of a six-story parking garage? Would parents and families be attracted to such a library or would they opt instead to visit other branches of the library system?
Imagine the two years of construction, noise and disruption to traffic building this six-story project in the heart of downtown. How would that impact local business?
And once completed, how would this behemoth architecturally affect the charming “village” feel of Cedar Street called for in the 2017 Downtown Plan? Has an analysis been made about how Cedar Street would maintain the traffic flows toward a 400- space garage?
What is our vision for a better downtown Santa Cruz? The current farmers market lot is the largest open space downtown. There will be no replacing it. We need public space to draw people into the heart of Santa Cruz — a place for people to gather — a downtown “commons”.
And the renovated library, with doors facing City Hall, would only enhance the Civic Center area.
It is such a pity that after four years, the community is still spending time and energy to oppose the ill- conceived mixed-use project. Building a garage is the last thing Santa Cruz needs to do right now. It is based on outdated philosophies and concepts of urban planning. The community has largely made that clear.
A significant City Council meeting takes place Oct. 27 — “detailed financial information regarding each component of the mixed use project” will be presented. In that meeting, City Council could vote to approve the hiring of a project manager for the construction at the cost of $240,000.
Please attend on Oct. 27 via Zoom and comment with your views and vision for Santa Cruz.
The funds for the library remodel are available right now: Voting on Measure S in 2016 was a vote to restore 10 libraries in Santa Cruz County.
And please consider carefully the positions of the City Council candidates on this matter before you vote.