July 1, 2025
Library and Community Services
DATE: July 1, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager of Community
Services
Kate Eppler, Deputy Director of Community Services –
Library
Christopher Larsen, Library Services Manager
SUBJECT:
Contract with Corovan Moving & Storage Co. to Relocate
the Main Library
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed expenditure of $49,814.84 will come from the Main Library renovation project budget (Account
String: 20136031-400708-AR231).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Richmond Public Library’s Main Library building at 325
Civic Center Plaza is planned to close on August 1, 2025, so that work on the Main Library renovation project can begin. Moving assistance will be needed to relocate
books and equipment to the temporary Main Library (in
Richmond Memorial Auditorium side rooms) and to
relocate staff desks to the Employment & Training
Building at 330 25th Street.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE a contract with Corovan Moving & Storage Co. for $49,814.84, with a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, for moving services for
relocation of materials from Richmond Main Library at
325 Civic Center Plaza to the temporary library site, and moving services for staff desks to 330 25th Street –
Community Services (Christopher Larsen 510-620-
AGENDA
REPORT
July 1, 2025
5524/Kate Eppler 510-620-5452/LaShonda White 510-
620-6828).
DISCUSSION:
The Richmond Main Library, located at 325 Civic Center Plaza, is one of three Richmond Public Library branches. Built in 1949 as the nation’s first glass-fronted library, the two-story, 31,500-square-foot facility houses central collections and support functions such as acquisitions and administration. Significant deferred maintenance has resulted in the need for major building and systems upgrades.
To address critical life-safety and infrastructure issues, the City was awarded a $9.7 million California State Library Building Forward grant in October 2022, with a 50% City match of $4.8 million. Additional City appropriations in 2023 and 2024 bring the total project funding to approximately $34 million. The revitalization project will begin construction in October 2025, with reopening expected in late 2027.
To maintain services during construction, library operations will temporarily relocate to the Richmond Memorial Auditorium’s conference rooms, and central support functions will move to the Employment & Training building at 330 25th Street. The KPA Group is assisting with planning and logistics for these relocations, including temporary infrastructure improvements and the setup of staff and public spaces.
Working with KPA, the Library and Public Works solicited and received three (3) quotes from moving companies (Attachment 1). Corovan Moving & Storage Co. was selected for their reasonable cost, approach to the project, and previous experience with library moves.
City staff are recommending City Council approve a contract with Corovan Moving & Storage Co. in an amount not to exceed $49,814.84, with a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, for moving services and relocation of materials from Richmond Main Library at 325 Civic Center Plaza to the temporary library site, and moving services for staff desks to 330 25th Street (Attachment 2). Approval of the contract with Corovan will facilitate the timely establishment of a temporary library in the Civic Center area and will facilitate the continuation of library operations while the library’s headquarters are undergoing the planned extensive renovation.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
The proposed contract approval is in line with City Council goal 3.1: Improve maintenance of built environment, parks, and new recreation infrastructure. The contract supports completion of the Main Library renovation project, which represents a substantial improvement to the City’s built environment.
July 1, 2025
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Quote Summary
Attachment 2 – Contract