Report Regarding Facilitated Community
Conversations About the Future Uses of
Decommissioned City Facilities
City Council Meeting
June 26, 2024
Government Code Section 54957.5
SB 343 Item
Agenda: 06/26/2024 REG CC Item 20
Purpose of this Study Session
Provide history on the Municipal Services Building and West Orange Library facilities, past planning efforts, and future options.
Describe planned community engagement regarding their reuse or redevelopment.
Receive direction from Council on any change of scope to planned work.
Decommissioned Facilities
MSB
WOL
Two Facilities
• Municipal Services Building (MSB) at 33 Arroyo Drive
• West Orange Library (WOL) at 840 W. Orange Avenue
• City has no current plans to redevelop either site
• Any changes require City Council approval at a public meeting MSB History
• Purchased in 1978 for Police Department,
Parks and Recreation, and Fire Station 63
• Aging infrastructure requiring a new roof,
seismic upgrades, modernized mechanical
system, and overall maintenance
• In 2014, City began planning for repairing or
replacing the MSB
MSB L|PR & PD
• Substantial community engagement:
> 40 public & stakeholder meetings
• Passage of Measure W
• Amending the El Camino Real /
Chestnut Area Plan and zoning for
L|PR site to Public / Quasi-Public
• Engaging a design and project
management team through open
Request for Proposals process
L|PR & PD Opening
• In 2022, the new Police Station at
1 Chestnut
• In 2023, the new Library | Parks &
Recreation Center opened at 901
Civic Campus Way
• L|PR replaced and augmented the
space, services, and programs
formerly offered at the MSB and
West Orange Library
MSB Currently
Two temporary uses:
1. Fire Station 63 – to be
relocated to 71 Camaritas Ave.
2. City’s Capital Projects Division
staff offices
MSB Zoning
• Rezoned in 2017 from “Public” to
“ECR Mixed Use North, High
Intensity”
• Current zoning: T5 Corridor Zoning
District (T5C)
• Allows for housing, commercial uses,
and public uses
MSB as a Housing Opportunity Site
• In 2017, identified as a “Housing Opportunity Site”
in 2015-2023 Housing Element
• Designated as a replacement opportunity site for the parcels now occupied by the L|PR, which were previously identified
• In 2023, carried over and identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element
MSB Past Planning Efforts
• November 2021 Council Special Meeting: Staff presented possible redevelopment scenarios and authorize an RFP
• Council directed staff to study developing social housing • July 2022 Council Meeting: Study session regarding ballot measure to authorize City to develop, construct, or acquire affordable housing
• Report highlighted economic and financial challenges of developing and operating public social housing
MSB Considerations for Future Use
• Budget for MSB and West Orange Library shifted to L|PR • One-time expenses: replacing the roof, improving seismic stability, interior finishes, elevator replacement, and modernizing mechanical systems
• Ongoing expenses: routine maintenance, utilities, custodial services, security, and program and supervisory expenses West Orange Library History
• Built in 1996 to house the Main Library
• Aging infrastructure led the City to
consider repairing or replacing
• Decision to co-located services with P&R
at the new L|PR Center
• Library programs, services, and
technology moved to the L|PR in 2023
WOL Past Planning Efforts
• Staff presented options to Council in 2020 to convert the WOL into either a preschool or entrepreneurship center
• Council directed staff to prioritize the site for a childcare center • March 2024 City released RFP for lessee to provide
preschool and/or community services at the site
• No responses received
Public Process
• City has no current plans to redevelop either site
• Any changes would require a public review and input process and City Council approval at a public meeting
Facilitated Community
Conversations
Facilitated Community Conversations
• Staff recommends holding facilitated community
conversations about the future of the two sites
• Goal is to identify community priorities to inform the City’s strategy and planning for the sites
Facilitated Community Conversations
• Staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a facilitator • Responses are due this Friday, June 28th
• Staff anticipates selecting a team in July 2024
Facilitated Community Conversations
Facilitation team to design a process that is:
• Wide-ranging and connects diverse community in discussion about the future of the sites
• Accommodating
• Engaging and fun
• Uses both in-person and online strategies
• Inclusive
• Meaningful
Facilitated Community Conversations
Anticipated process:
• Two Open Houses in late August with food and childcare • Hosted tours of the MSB and West Orange Library
• Online engagement via City website and survey
• Anticipated timeframe: Late August to mid-September 2024 Facilitated Community Conversations
Facilitation team to prepare a Community Engagement
Summary Report and present to Council in late November 2024.
Report to include:
• Overall themes – what does the community want to see at these sites?
• Individual comments
Next Steps
Staff recommends that the City Council provide feedback on the next steps for facilitated conversations regarding the future of the MSB and West Orange Library.