PUBLIC COMMENT 1
Tara Davis
From: R M
Sent: Sunday, February 9, 2025 9:38 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Public Comment 02/10/25 Yucaipa Branch Library Project Recommendation This message is referring to item 9: YUCAIPA BRANCH LIBRARY PROJECT RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Not proceed with the Yucaipa Branch Library Project due to the financial risks associated with the total project development costs; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary documents required to terminate the project agreement and return funding for the project.
Hello,
My name is Rain and my comment is to say that I was very excited for Yucaipa to get a new library. I really enjoy going to libraries... but not this one. I wish I did, and my family and friends can vouch that I've been talking about this project for months and daydreaming about what the architecture, interior layout, visual appeal, and increased materials selection would be like. It's honestly depressing in there and so small; it's not the kind of place I consider going to for studying, reading, or attending events. The materials I want aren't even found at this branch, so it's really just a pick-up and drop-off spot for me.
It is a better decision to proceed with this project. We have a beautiful city hall and police station, so why can't we have a beautiful library? I know the City of Yucaipa has struggled with a deficit for a long time but our city is overdue for a library. Initial planning began over 20 years ago. This branch was built in 1969, and since then, our city's population has nearly tripled. (It was under 20,000 then, and we are over 55,000 now.) We need a library that is over twice the size of our current one. Modest renovations were made in 2011, and the HVAC replaced in 2014.
Other upgrades have not happened due to the discovery of asbestos. Not only that, I have information from less than a year ago that there are other safety issues:
• mold,
• aged electrical systems,
• no power backup,
• no fire suppression systems,
• water damage,
• exterior cracking,
• failure to meet current seismic standards, and
• failure to meet ADA compliance.
Not only is our library overdue to accommodate our population and safety needs, it's an investment to our literacy rates, enrichment, and sense of community. Libraries are for everyone and only bring benefit. I don't know what the aforementioned financial risks are but I know the City is still spending money on other projects. There exists funding for this project. Why does this public good not get priority? Why does it keep getting held up? Thank you for reading my essay. Personally, I have not felt like Yucaipa is developing into a city where I belong, and I have lived here for most of my life. I haven't felt like I really belong here at all but I love my hometown nonetheless.
I don't know how much longer I will choose to live in Yucaipa but the prospects of a new and improved library by 2026 was an appeal to stay in the area. I hope that we can get our new library soon. Even if I have moved on from this city, I think Yucaipa deserves a better library.
Best,
Rain Mendoza
PUBLIC COMMENT 2
From:
Jim Favaro
To:
Public Comment
Cc:
Fermin Preciado. P.E. ; Steve Johnson; Ingrid Dennert; Byanka Nunez, LEED AP, Assoc.
DBIA; Rachael Gonzalez; a issa on ego
Subject:
Public Comment- February 10, 2025
Date:
Monday, February 10, 2025 1:13:46 PM
Attachments:
imaae001.pno
Honorable City Council
I am a principal at Johnson Favaro who are partnered with Erickson Hall on the Erickson Hall - Johnson Favaro PDB team for the city's new library project. We have understood from the City Council agenda for this evening's meeting that Staff will recommend to the council that the library project be terminated due to financial risks and that funding be returned to the state and other funders.
We wanted to let you know that while certainly any construction project (virtually any) comes with risks we did not find this one of especially more risk than any municipal library project we have been involved with in the last two decades. We do understand there is a fixed budget and a fixed schedule in order to keep funding deadlines and we were in the process of describing in a conversation with you (we were hoping perhaps in the form of an interview) exactly how that could be accomplished.
Having completed municipal libraries, and K-12 DSA approved school projects across southern California and with Erickson Hall ---all of them with tight budgets and constrained schedules. --we are quite experienced and prepared as a team to accomplish this with you on a brisk pace, with the full complement of necessary outreach, and under the budget.
We by all means get that these projects can be intimidating for municipal governments, but especially in this case we were surprised to hear that the city has concluded that it is also infeasible.
We had wanted to set your minds at ease about that if for no other reason it would be most unfortunate for the city to return so much funding that you and your team have worked so hard to secure over all these years to make this a reality for the people of Yucaipa.
We are happy to discuss if you or others at the city would like to.
Meanwhile we wish you the best
Jim
Jim Favaro
Principal
ARCHITECTURE s URBAN MIEN
AURSON
RU
ARCHITECTURE + URBAN DESIGN
5898 BLACKWELDER STREET CULVER CITY, CA 90232
T 310.559.5720
F 310.559.8220
httl2:// www.mohnsonfavaro.com
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