http://meetingthetwain.blogspot.com/2017/11/sunnyvale-civic-center-plans-2.html
This is a continuation of "Civic Center Plans - 1" here:
http://meetingthetwain.blogspot.com/2017/10/sunnyvale-civic-center-plans.html
see also (about traffic problems):
http://meetingthetwain.blogspot.com/2017/11/sunnyvale-civic-center-plans-traffic-3.html
Meeting of City Council on Tuesday Nov. 7th at 7 PM at City Council Chambers, 456 W. Olive Ave. Sunnyvale, CA. The first item on the agenda is to decide which of the following two designs to pursue for the new Civic Center Plans. The council may choose to modify either of the designs. Phase 1 is for a new City Hall. Phase 2 is for a new library and Dept. of Public Safety building. The official City of Sunnyvale web site on the Civic Center remodeling project is here:
https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/business/projects/civic.htm
The public is encouraged to share their thoughts. If you cannot come, please email the city council at:
council@sunnyvale.ca.gov
This entire design process will take at least a year so don't think that just because you couldn't make the meeting it is too late to give your opinion.
You can say anything you like. Most people touch on the following when I talk with them:
1. Prefer Option 1 (rectangular buildings) or Option 2 (curved buildings)
and/or
2. Keep Olive Ave. or don't keep Olive Ave.
and/or
3. Current designs for exterior vs. alternative
and/or
4. Scrap the whole thing and just add-on to existing buildings
and/or
5. How to pay for this?
and/or
6. We need a playground near the library
and/or
7. Reverse the phases so Library and New DPS building get built in phase 1 and city hall gets built in phase 2.
or (whatever you want to say...)
The two options from the architects currently being considered are (click on photo to enlarge)
In both options, the new library is intended to have 118,000 sq. ft. compared to the current library's 65,000 sq. ft. The new Lakewood Branch Library will have 20,000 sq. ft. giving a total of 85,000 sq. ft. for Sunnyvale before a new library is built and 138,000 sq. ft. if the proposed new library is built.
Do we need a new library? For comparison, Santa Clara's main library is 85,000 sq. ft. and Cupertino's (only) library is 54,000 sq. ft.
A 118,000 sq. ft. library would be the 9th biggest library in California between Kern County Library in Bakersfield and Huntington Beach library. Sunnyvale is the 37th largest city in California. C.f., http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2015/09/biggest-10-public-libraries-in.html
Here's a library that is 118,000 sq. ft. in St. Cloud, MN
More on size here: http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2015/09/say-how-big-is-that-library.html
Most cities the size of Sunnyvale (or a little larger) have a large-ish main library and have lots of local neighborhood libraries people can walk to. Examples of similar-sized cities and their library system are here: http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2015/10/ca-cities-like-sunnyvale-their-libraries.html
And in terms of libraries, size is not everything. Access is more important. In Fresno (pop. 520,000), two small (22,000 sq. ft. & 10,000 sq.ft.) libraries each have greater circulation than the main library (82,700 sf). More at: http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2015/10/david-and-goliath-libraries.html
In Option 2 (curved buildings), Olive Ave. is closed because city staff decided not to temporarily close or move the existing library while the new library is being built. This left insufficient room to place the new library without covering Olive Ave. If Olive Ave. is considered by the public as important to retain then one alternative is to build a cantilevered portion over a Olive Ave. like this university building below.
Or, City Council could decide that it is important to preserve Olive Ave. and therefore other arrangements for the existing library can be made while a new one is built. They might move to a temporary space or, simply close off part of the existing library which would be demolished while most of the existing library stays open.
Option 2 with Olive Still Open
Another issue that arises frequently in discussions of Option 2 (curved buildings) is the placement of the parking structure in the lower corner, remote from the City Hall and Public Safety Building. Many feel it should be more centrally located. One possibility is that the Public Safety Building could be built first and then the new library. That would free up the current DPS building site in the corner and also allow for preserving Olive Ave. (if that is desired). Then the library is given greater visibility from El Camino. The parking structure could be built more centrally. In that case, Option 2 might look like the following:
Photos from that site (click to enlarge):
see also (about traffic problems):
http://meetingthetwain.blogspot.com/2017/11/sunnyvale-civic-center-plans-traffic-3.html
Introduction:
Meeting of City Council on Tuesday Nov. 7th at 7 PM at City Council Chambers, 456 W. Olive Ave. Sunnyvale, CA. The first item on the agenda is to decide which of the following two designs to pursue for the new Civic Center Plans. The council may choose to modify either of the designs. Phase 1 is for a new City Hall. Phase 2 is for a new library and Dept. of Public Safety building. The official City of Sunnyvale web site on the Civic Center remodeling project is here:
https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/business/projects/civic.htm
The public is encouraged to share their thoughts. If you cannot come, please email the city council at:
council@sunnyvale.ca.gov
This entire design process will take at least a year so don't think that just because you couldn't make the meeting it is too late to give your opinion.
You can say anything you like. Most people touch on the following when I talk with them:
1. Prefer Option 1 (rectangular buildings) or Option 2 (curved buildings)
and/or
2. Keep Olive Ave. or don't keep Olive Ave.
and/or
3. Current designs for exterior vs. alternative
and/or
4. Scrap the whole thing and just add-on to existing buildings
and/or
5. How to pay for this?
and/or
6. We need a playground near the library
and/or
7. Reverse the phases so Library and New DPS building get built in phase 1 and city hall gets built in phase 2.
or (whatever you want to say...)
The two options from the architects currently being considered are (click on photo to enlarge)
Option 1 (Rectangular Buildings):
 |
| Completed Civic Center Blue Lines on Top are Solar Panels |
 |
| Phase 1 - City Hall and Add-on to Public Safety |
(Click to enlarge)
View from Mathilda
View from Center Plaza
Option 2 (Curved Buildings):
 |
| Olive Ave. Removed |
 |
| Olive Ave. Removed |
 |
| View from Mathilda |
Proposed Library
In both options, the new library is intended to have 118,000 sq. ft. compared to the current library's 65,000 sq. ft. The new Lakewood Branch Library will have 20,000 sq. ft. giving a total of 85,000 sq. ft. for Sunnyvale before a new library is built and 138,000 sq. ft. if the proposed new library is built.Do we need a new library? For comparison, Santa Clara's main library is 85,000 sq. ft. and Cupertino's (only) library is 54,000 sq. ft.
 |
| Cupertino's 54,000 sq. ft. Library |
 |
| Cupertino Library Court Yard |
 |
| Cupertino Library Children's Area and Aquarium |
A 118,000 sq. ft. library would be the 9th biggest library in California between Kern County Library in Bakersfield and Huntington Beach library. Sunnyvale is the 37th largest city in California. C.f., http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2015/09/biggest-10-public-libraries-in.html
Here's a library that is 118,000 sq. ft. in St. Cloud, MN
 |
| More photos here: http://www.gltarchitects.com/Portfolio/Government-Public/St-Cloud-Public-Library.aspx |
Most cities the size of Sunnyvale (or a little larger) have a large-ish main library and have lots of local neighborhood libraries people can walk to. Examples of similar-sized cities and their library system are here: http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2015/10/ca-cities-like-sunnyvale-their-libraries.html
And in terms of libraries, size is not everything. Access is more important. In Fresno (pop. 520,000), two small (22,000 sq. ft. & 10,000 sq.ft.) libraries each have greater circulation than the main library (82,700 sf). More at: http://cspgs.blogspot.com/2015/10/david-and-goliath-libraries.html
 |
| Fresno's branch library of 22,000 sq. ft. with double(!) the circulation of their 82,000 sq. ft. main branch |
Olive Ave
 |
| Milstein Building, Ithaca NY |
Or, City Council could decide that it is important to preserve Olive Ave. and therefore other arrangements for the existing library can be made while a new one is built. They might move to a temporary space or, simply close off part of the existing library which would be demolished while most of the existing library stays open.
Option 2 with Olive Still Open
Another issue that arises frequently in discussions of Option 2 (curved buildings) is the placement of the parking structure in the lower corner, remote from the City Hall and Public Safety Building. Many feel it should be more centrally located. One possibility is that the Public Safety Building could be built first and then the new library. That would free up the current DPS building site in the corner and also allow for preserving Olive Ave. (if that is desired). Then the library is given greater visibility from El Camino. The parking structure could be built more centrally. In that case, Option 2 might look like the following:
 |
| Olive Ave. NOT removed Parking is moved to a more central location New library is closer to El Camino |
Current Architects:
The architectural design team is "Smith Group JJR". They did a highly respected, very "green" city hall building for Chandler, AZ, (suburb of Phoenix) that was chosen by the American Institute of Architects as one of the top ten 'green' buildings of the year: http://www.aiatopten.org/node/93Photos from that site (click to enlarge):
 |
| Chandler, AZ City Hall |
Financing for Phase 1 (City Hall and Add-on to Public Safety)
Phase 1 for either option includes only the City Hall and an addition to the Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) building.
To pay for phase 1 only, the City of Sunnyvale will sell a number of properties they intend to declare "surplus". Also, since some of the new Civic Center will be park land, park dedication fees will be used for part of it. Funding from these sources may not be adequate for all aspects of phase 1. Phase 1 for option 1 (rectangular) looks like this:
To pay for phase 1 only, the City of Sunnyvale will sell a number of properties they intend to declare "surplus". Also, since some of the new Civic Center will be park land, park dedication fees will be used for part of it. Funding from these sources may not be adequate for all aspects of phase 1. Phase 1 for option 1 (rectangular) looks like this:
 |
| Phase 1 - New City Hall and DPS add-on Annex and Sunnyvale Office Center are removed - dashed white line outlines.
Blue lines on buildings indicate solar panels
|
Phase 1 (City Hall and Add-on to Public Safety) for option 2 (curved) looks like this:
 |
| Olive is Closed |
 |
Phase 1 - New City Hall and DPS add-on
Sunnyvale Office Center and Annex are removed as indicated by the the white dashed lines around them
Blue lines on buildings indicate solar panels
|
Above from city document at
https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=25141
https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=25141
Financing for Phase 2 (New Library and Public Safety)
Drawings of the final phase (Phase 2) are shown at the top. After phase 1 (City Hall and DPS add-on) is complete, the next big question is how to pay for phase 2 (new library and DPS building). This would likely cost about the same as phase 1. There will be no more surplus properties to sell. The current thinking by city staff is to put a bond proposal up that will raise taxes to pay for a new library and new Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) building. It will require a 67% yes vote to pass.
The previous bond measure for only a new library received 59% instead of the required 67% and failed. That resulted in the proposal to lease for 99 years about 60% of the current Civic Center in exchange for a new library as seen below from the city staff proposal. Purple area on El Camino and light blue area on Pastoria on top of picture:
This proposal was later dropped due to public resistance, though no law or ruling exists to prevent it from being brought up again.
To determine if there was support for a bond measure to pay for the new library and Public Safety building, last year a poll of residents was done by a professional polling company. They found insufficient support for a bond measure to fund those buildings. As a result, the decision was made to sell surplus properties and use park dedication fees from new construction to fund phase 1 (new city hall and DPS add-on), It is hard to see why public opinion would change with respect to a bond measure. The question remains how to pay for phase 2 (new library and new DPS). The fear of a long term lease of part of the Civic Center to pay for phase 2 also remains.
What the Chandler govt. did to finance their new City Hall (mentioned earlier) was save up money during the boom years and then when the boom ended and contractors were desperately looking for work, they used the money they had saved to pay for the new city hall at bargain basement prices. So it can be done! (Even by governments! Who knew?)
The head of finance for the City of Sunnyvale said in an open meeting a few weeks ago that due to CalPERS (Public Employee Retirement System) increasing employer (such as cities) costs there will likely be a need to put a tax increase on the ballot in November 2018. This may pass but asking for a tax increase to pay for public employee retirement costs may make it harder to get a tax increase to pay for a bond for the new library and DPS building, especially since the add-on to the DPS building in Phase 1 removes the urgency of a new DPS building.
In 2003, another architectural group came up with several layouts. The one with the least changes adds on to all three existing buildings. This would have resulted in an addition to the existing library resulting in a 100,000 sq. ft. library vs. the existing 65,000 sq. ft. library and a 4-story addition to City Hall. For comparison, the Santa Clara main library is 85,000 sq. ft. and the Cupertino library is 50,000 sq. ft. See below:
I have listened to many people about the proposed Phase 1 (City Hall) and Phase 2 (library and DPS) and one question that comes up is what if there is not funding for phase 2? In that case, phase 1 is going to look a bit strange - a big modern "iconic" City Hall sitting among several unassuming modest brick buildings. "Modernity vs. Charm" was how one critic put it.
Option 1 (rectangular buildings) is some wood and a lot of glass. Option 2 (curved buildings) has an exterior of white stone to suggest a capitol building like the one in Sacramento. Not everyone is in favor of that. The City Council is interested in your opinions on that as well, though the exterior aspects will be decided later. Many I talk to prefer (without any prompting from me) the wood and recycled copper look of the Packard Foundation building in Los Altos. It is the largest NetZero energy building in the world - https://www.packard.org/about-the-foundation/our-green-headquarters/. The wood exterior could be on either Option 1 (rectangular) or Option 2 (curved). See below (click on any photo to enlarge):
The previous bond measure for only a new library received 59% instead of the required 67% and failed. That resulted in the proposal to lease for 99 years about 60% of the current Civic Center in exchange for a new library as seen below from the city staff proposal. Purple area on El Camino and light blue area on Pastoria on top of picture:
This proposal was later dropped due to public resistance, though no law or ruling exists to prevent it from being brought up again.
To determine if there was support for a bond measure to pay for the new library and Public Safety building, last year a poll of residents was done by a professional polling company. They found insufficient support for a bond measure to fund those buildings. As a result, the decision was made to sell surplus properties and use park dedication fees from new construction to fund phase 1 (new city hall and DPS add-on), It is hard to see why public opinion would change with respect to a bond measure. The question remains how to pay for phase 2 (new library and new DPS). The fear of a long term lease of part of the Civic Center to pay for phase 2 also remains.
What the Chandler govt. did to finance their new City Hall (mentioned earlier) was save up money during the boom years and then when the boom ended and contractors were desperately looking for work, they used the money they had saved to pay for the new city hall at bargain basement prices. So it can be done! (Even by governments! Who knew?)
 |
| Chandler, AZ City Hall |
The head of finance for the City of Sunnyvale said in an open meeting a few weeks ago that due to CalPERS (Public Employee Retirement System) increasing employer (such as cities) costs there will likely be a need to put a tax increase on the ballot in November 2018. This may pass but asking for a tax increase to pay for public employee retirement costs may make it harder to get a tax increase to pay for a bond for the new library and DPS building, especially since the add-on to the DPS building in Phase 1 removes the urgency of a new DPS building.
Alternative - Add-Ons
In 2003, another architectural group came up with several layouts. The one with the least changes adds on to all three existing buildings. This would have resulted in an addition to the existing library resulting in a 100,000 sq. ft. library vs. the existing 65,000 sq. ft. library and a 4-story addition to City Hall. For comparison, the Santa Clara main library is 85,000 sq. ft. and the Cupertino library is 50,000 sq. ft. See below:
I have listened to many people about the proposed Phase 1 (City Hall) and Phase 2 (library and DPS) and one question that comes up is what if there is not funding for phase 2? In that case, phase 1 is going to look a bit strange - a big modern "iconic" City Hall sitting among several unassuming modest brick buildings. "Modernity vs. Charm" was how one critic put it.
What Will Not Be Decided (But You Can Say Anyway)
Option 1 (rectangular buildings) is some wood and a lot of glass. Option 2 (curved buildings) has an exterior of white stone to suggest a capitol building like the one in Sacramento. Not everyone is in favor of that. The City Council is interested in your opinions on that as well, though the exterior aspects will be decided later. Many I talk to prefer (without any prompting from me) the wood and recycled copper look of the Packard Foundation building in Los Altos. It is the largest NetZero energy building in the world - https://www.packard.org/about-the-foundation/our-green-headquarters/. The wood exterior could be on either Option 1 (rectangular) or Option 2 (curved). See below (click on any photo to enlarge):
Conclusion:
Please come to the City Council Meeting on Tuesday Nov. 7th at 7 PM 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA and share your thoughts about how to proceed. If you cannot come, please email the city council at:
council@sunnyvale.ca.gov
This entire design process will take at least a year so don't think that just because you couldn't make the meeting it is too late to give your opinion.
Sincerely,
Michael Goldman
Sunnyvale City Council, Seat 7
