December 16, 2025
Public Works
DATE: December 16, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo, PE, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Wendy Wellbrock, PE, Senior Civil Engineer
Subject:
Contract Amendment No. 4 with Noll & Tam Architects for architectural design for Revitalization of the Historic Richmond Main Library
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $450,000 expenditure, which includes the cost of the contract amendment and contingency, is funded with interest income earned on the California State Library Building Forward Grant. The Budget in the Library Fund
will be increased by $450,000, and the revenue account
will be increased by $450,000 from the Library Fund. There is no net change to the budget or fiscal impact to the City’s General Fund (Account String: 10545055 – 400733 -
AR231).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
October 17, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff is requesting approval to amend the contract with Noll and Tam Architects to provide required design
refinements and construction-phase architectural services for the Revitalizing the Historic Richmond Main Library Project. The amendment is in the amount of $382,909 for an amended total not-to-exceed amount of $3,668,781,
plus a new 15 percent contingency in the amount of
$67,091 for a potential total not-to-exceed contract amount of $3,735,872.
AGENDA
REPORT
December 16, 2025
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE the fourth contract
amendment with Noll and Tam Architects for additional
architectural design and construction administration
services for the Revitalization of the Historic Richmond Main Library Project in the amount of $382,909 for an
amended total not-to-exceed amount of $3,668,781;
AUTHORIZE the City Manager or their designee to
execute the contract and approve any amendments, if
necessary, for up to a 15 percent contingency in the
amount of $67,091 for a total payment limit of $3,735,872, with a term ending June 30, 2028; and APPROPRIATE
$450,000 from the Library Fund to the Project - Public
Works Department (Wendy Wellbrock 510-307-
8108/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
DISCUSSION:
Located at 325 Civic Center Plaza, the Richmond Main Library is the Main Branch of the municipal public library, and it is one of three physical locations serving the City of Richmond. The facility is centrally located within the Civic Center and is accessible by multiple travel modes, including walking, biking, and transit.
Constructed in 1949, the Richmond Main Library is a significant piece of postwar Modernist architecture, designed by San Francisco architects Timothy L. Milton T. and Pflueger as part of the Civic Center Plaza complex. It is notable for being the first glass- fronted public library in the United States.
The Revitalization of the Historic Richmond Main Library Project (Project) aims to modernize and preserve the historic, aging facility through a major renovation that addresses building systems, safety, and long-term functionality. The Project will also provide critical infrastructure upgrades—including new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems—and incorporate seismic and accessibility improvements, full interior renovation, and hazardous materials abatement. The Project will also replace the roof, install a new solar PV system, convert the building to an all-electric system, replace the exterior glazing, replace the elevator, and make various site and landscaping improvements. Sustainability goals include targeting LEED Silver certification.
The City has secured $34,400,000 in funding for this Project, which includes $9,712,979 in California State Library Building Forward Grant funding, $2,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and $22,700,000 in local funds.
On October 18, 2023, the City entered into a contract with Noll and Tam Architects for architectural design services with a not-to-exceed amount of $3,285,872 (including a 10% contingency) (Attachment 1). During the design phase of the Project, additional services from Noll and Tam Architects were needed due to multiple factors including complex existing conditions and aligning the project scope with a changing project
December 16, 2025
budget and timeline. As a result, Contract Amendment No.1, Contract Amendment No. 2, and Contract Amendment No. 3 were executed and utilized the full amount of the approved contingency (Attachments 2,3, and 4).
A fourth contract amendment is needed to complete required design refinements and to provide construction-phase architectural support (Attachment 5).
The following outlines the anticipated timeline and major phases of the Project, progressing from initial planning through completion:
Phases Timeline
Community Outreach and Engagement October 2023 – January 2024 Conceptual Design January 2024 – May 2024
Final Design and Construction Documents June 2024 – January 2025 Permitting February 2025 – July 2025
Bidding and Award August 2025 – December 2025
Construction January 2026 – September 2027
City staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to approve the fourth amendment to the contract with Noll and Tam Architects, adding $382,909 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $3,668,781, with a 15 percent contingency of $67,091 for a potential total of $3,735,872, and extending the contract term through June 30, 2028 (Attachment 6). This amendment provides flexibility to address unforeseen conditions during construction. Funding is available in the Library Fund balance from interest earned on the California State Library Building Forward Grant, and staff further recommends that the Council adopt the accompanying resolution approving the amendment, establishing the revised contract total and contingency, extending the term, and appropriating $450,000 from the Library Fund to the Project.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Original Contract_FE
Attachment 2 – Contract Amendment 1_FE
Attachment 3 – Contract Amendment 2_FE
Attachment 4 – Contract Amendment 3_Draft
Attachment 5 – Proposed Contract Amendment 4
Attachment 6 – Resolution