Library
www.santa-ana.org/library
Item # 8
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
October 7, 2025
TOPIC: Newhope Library Renovation Project
AGENDA TITLE
Additional Construction Funding to Address Critical Maintenance Needs and Original Workmanship Quality Issues for the Newhope Library Renovation Project (Project No. 22-1802) (General Fund) (Non General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approve additional construction funding for the Newhope Library Renovation Project in the amount of $600,000 in General Fund and Cannabis Public Benefit Fund funding.
2. Approve an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program to include $600,000 in construction funds for the Newhope Library Renovation Project (Project No. 22-1802).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
On September 17, 2024, the City Council approved a construction contract with PCN3, Inc. for construction of both the Newhope Library Renovation Project and the Delhi Library Project. The Delhi Library Project is now complete and open to the public.
Construction of the Newhope Library is underway, with an estimated completion of March 2026.
The Newhope Library, constructed in the mid-1970s, is a 50-year-old facility that has received minimal critical and life safety upgrades over its lifetime. Nearly all of the facility’s building materials and major mechanical systems are original, including HVAC equipment, windows, framing, and exterior site furnishings, which have now reached the end of their useful life. The renovation was initiated to modernize the facility, addressing long-deferred critical and life safety maintenance needs that will extend the building’s service life by another 50+ years.
Newhope Library Renovation Project
October 7, 2025
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Similar to the Main Library Renovation Project, staff anticipated that unforeseen conditions would emerge once demolition began due to the building’s age and original construction quality. As expected, several significant issues were uncovered during these recent and early phases of construction, including:
•Deteriorated and poorly constructed interior framing, preventing easy integration with new materials and walls.
•Wood beam and framing damage from dry rot and termite activity. •Deteriorated building materials, including significant amounts of insulation. •Mediocre original construction quality and discrepancies in slab on grade conditions when comparing original plans to current site conditions. •Deteriorating exterior building concrete and window frames stemming from decades of deferred maintenance.
•Significant signs of water damage related to lack of building repairs and roofing upgrades.
Because the exact condition of the building was previously concealed, the necessary upgrades and repairs only became apparent after demolition commenced. While the full cost impact of the corrective work is ongoing and still being finalized, it is clear that additional construction funding is necessary to proceed with the required critical maintenance, workmanship issues, and life safety related repairs that will allow staff to maintain the project schedule.
The original total estimated construction delivery cost for both the Newhope Library Renovation and Delhi Library projects was $9,132,303, which included the construction contract bid amount ($8,215,533), construction administration ($95,217), and a 10% allocation for additional construction related costs ($821,553). The recommended action will increase the total estimated construction delivery cost by $600,000 to a new total delivery cost of $9,732,303.
While the original cost analysis only included a 10 percent funding allocation for additional construction costs, the Library Services Agency reserved enough funding for a 15 percent allocation. Further, the Library was able to capitalize on efficiencies that allowed for the repurpose of other Newhope Library funding slated for furniture, fixtures, and equipment to cover the construction increase. Finally, the Library recognized construction related savings on the recently completely Outdoor Library at Jerome Park and additional savings related to furniture, fixtures, and equipment for the Delhi Library project. This funding can be reallocated to the Newhope Library renovation to help offset the required critical and life safety related repairs. Combined, these funds will fully offset the additional $600,000 requested for Newhope Library’s construction costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action. CEQA determination for the project was made under previous City Council action on September 17, 2024 and Newhope Library Renovation Project
October 7, 2025
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staff filed Categorical Exemption Environment Review No. ER-2024-82. The recommended actions are exempt from further review pursuant to Sections 15301(a) and 15301(d) of the CEQA Guidelines for projects consisting of interior and exterior alterations, as well as restoration or rehabilitation of structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, and windows.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds were budgeted and available in the following accounts for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and will be carried forward for use in Fiscal Year 2025-2026, subject to City Council approval of carryover requests. Additional proposed carryovers of unspent funds to future fiscal years will be presented to City Council for approval as needed.
The following table summarizes the funds budgeted for expenditure:
Fiscal
Year
Accounting Unit -
Account No.
(Project No.)
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit,
Account No.
Description
Amount
Budget Available via Proposed Carry Forward to FY25-26
2025-26 01111110-66200
(22-1802) General Fund
Library Administration
– Buildings & Building
Improvements
$84,500
2025-26 01211020-66200
(22-1802)
Cannabis
Public Benefit
Fund
Library Youth Services
– Buildings & Building
Improvements
$423,500
Reallocation
2025-26
01211020-66200
(from 22-1382 to
22-1802)
Cannabis
Public Benefit
Fund
Library Youth Services
– Buildings & Building
Improvements
$15,000
2025-26
01111017-66200
(from 22-1381 to
22-1802)
General Fund
Library Service
Enhancement –
Buildings & Building
Improvements
$77,000
TOTAL $600,000
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Construction Contract
2. Environmental Determination
3. Capital Improvement Project Worksheet
Submitted By: Brian Sternberg, Executive Director of Library Services Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager