Morgan Hill
’s new library will likely cash in on Redevelopment Agency money
that was earmarked for a regional soccer complex by Sobrato High
School.
Morgan Hill’s new library will likely cash in on Redevelopment Agency money that was earmarked for a regional soccer complex by Sobrato High School.
Since the San Jose Soccer Complex Foundation pulled out of negotiations with San Jose over the site, $980,000 of RDA money will now be reprogrammed into city projects. The City Council on Wednesday indicated they’re willing to devote more money to the library’s $17 million construction fund, but stopped short of announcing exactly how much.
“I for one am in favor of some allocation of funds for public art and improving the interior finishings,” said Mayor Dennis Kennedy, who is also the RDA chair.
But Kennedy also said he would like to wait to decide the exact amount until after other projects come forward with their requests. He said the Park and Recreation Commission recently recommended that these funds go toward the Outdoor Sports Complex, which is scheduled to be constructed in the spring of 2007.
Library officials said additional funding would be put to good use in the new library because they believe the construction design
Deputy County Librarian Sarah Flowers, agreed there’s no need to expand the library at this time. They’d like to see extra funds instead go to exterior landscape, improving the indoor finishings and public art.
“I’m quite satisfied with the size of the library. It will be a great facility with a large collection and lots of seating. It could use an upgrade of the interior finishing, and landscape, (like) more lush landscaping on the west side, … and art work. And of course, a larger contingency always helps if push comes to shove in construction,” Noll said.
Friends of the Library President Carol O’Hare said additional funding for the interior of the library will only enhance the project and attract more residents to use it.
“It’s an opportunity to make it something we can all be proud of,” she said. “I do want to make a pitch for public art, so citizens can take pride and ownership in their city library. It can be something we can show off and enjoy.”
Mayor Kennedy asked O’Hare, “If given the choice, would you spend the extra money on public art or interior finishings?”
“Can’t I have both?” O’Hare chuckled. “I see this as a package. First we need to work on the building itself so it can be the best it could be, so the outside is as beautiful as the inside.”
Councilman Greg Sellers said although he is one of the big supporters of the library, he reminded the council of their policy not use public money on public art.
Sellers explained the city has specifically outlined RDA funds for economic development projects. He mentioned he would rather see support of public art come from other sources because he feels the city would be constrained in choosing types of public art within budget limitations.
Councilman Larry Carr also emphasized that the RDA does not have extra funding; the funds only became available because the regional soccer complex has been scrapped.
“We don’t have extra funding; we have a project that has fallen through the wayside. … We don’t want to send a message to everyone to come to us with their hands out. I want to make sure we are not encouraging this,” Carr said.
The City Council also approved the design of the new library Wednesday. Although some council members preferred a dark red color for the outside of the facility, Noll said the commission decided to go with a natural stone color because they believed it would fit the residential neighborhood. He described the outside design of the facility as crisp in detail, with glass and different-sized windows.
The library design addresses concerns raised earlier by the council. These included the design and location of the book drop, using drought tolerant plants in the landscape, providing a warm reading area with a fireplace and making the children’s area quieter.
Noll said the design puts the book drop parking closer to the drop-off, and the book drop is directly visible with overhead lighting and a sign. He said the library staff wasn’t too keen on having a fireplace because of operational concerns, but to give the facility a warmer feeling, ceilings in some reading areas have been lowered and windows are now slightly angled to view El Toro Mountain.
“We’ve oriented windows toward El Toro more clearly, and identified areas of quiet, with lower ceilings, depicting warmth, and rich special finishes to make the library an inviting place,” Noll said.
Rose Meily covers City Hall for the Morgan Hill Times. Reach her at 779-4106 or by e-mail at rm****@*****************om.only meets the “bare bones” requirement.
The new library will be twice the size of the current facility and construction will start in March of 2006. The design also allows for expansion at a later date.
Council members asked library officials if they see a need in expanding library space. Senior Project Manager Jim Dumas, architects Chris Noll and Merideth Marschak of Noll & Tam, and
