Former Library ReUse Proposal (2)!Q 6'pSpS
FORMER LIBRARY RE -USE PROPOSAL
The summary information requested on this form is required. If you require more
room for any response, please attach additional sheets. You may also attach any
additional information you would like the Town to consider.
Name of Organization: Town of Los Gatos
Contact Pamela Jacobs Signature ggCGL,-�
(Print Name)
Phone 354 -6832 Email Address pjacobs @losgatosca.gov
Address 110 E. Main St.
Title of Proposed Use of Space:
Community Room and Meeting Spaces
Square Feet Requested:
Up to 5,000 sq. ft. on 1 floor
Description of Proposed Use and Activities:
This proposal is for the use of the upstairs floor of the former library for a community hall
and community meeting spaces. The proposal is for the large open area to serve as a
community room, with the back area serving as a smaller meeting space. A catering
kitchen supporting the room /meeting use would be provided in the previous Friends'
space. A medium -sized meeting room could be provided in the former Children's
Room.
The community room and meeting spaces would be used by both the Town and by the
public (e.g., service groups, non - profits, civic and educational organizations,
businesses, etc.).
Days /Hours of Operation:
The primary use of the community room and meeting spaces will be on weekday
evenings and weekends, although some weekday use is anticipated, as well.
Number of Daily Staff/Volunteers: No additional staff /volunteers
Number of Daily Visitors: Up to 275 in community room on weekday evenings or
weekends
Estimated Number of Parking Spaces Needed: Up to g (per code)
Tenant and Capital Improvements: Describe modifications and /or improvements
needed for proposed use:
■ A wall with door or partition separating the back meeting hall from the community
room.
• A door between former Children's Room and main area.
■ Expanded restrooms to accommodate ADA requirements and meet capacity
demands.
■ A door between the back meeting room and the proposed catering kitchen.
• Catering kitchen plumbing and equipment.
■ Operation of the meeting hall and spaces will require furniture, fixtures,
equipment and signage.
■ HVAC improvements
Special Requirements: Identify any other special requirements:
Costs and Funding:
Estimated capital improvement costs: $125,000, plus $130,000 for HVAC
Estimated annual operating costs: Additional operating costs would include the
costs for a meeting attendant for after -hours meetings, utilities, and supplies.
Estimated annual maintenance costs: $13,000
Funding source(s) for above: Capital /tenant improvements would be funded
via the Town's CIP and Facilities Budget. O & M costs would be covered through user
fees and existing Town budgets.
Occupancy:
Where is this use currently located? Current Town meeting spaces include a rented
conference room in the ARC, the Council Chambers, Chambers lobby, the meeting
room at the Police Operations Building, and the new library conference room. Non -town
meeting spaces include the ARC meeting hall, hotels, schools and churches.
When would your organization be ready to occupy the space? Upon completion of the
capital and tenant improvements.
Guiding Principles:
Please discuss how your use of this space meets the Guiding Principles (attached)
Los Gatos is a very participatory community, and opportunities abound to meet for civic
purposes. For both the Town government and civic organizations, the availability of
meetings spaces for small to large meetings is limited. The on -site spaces noted above
are often not available due to the level of demand. In addition, some of the spaces,
such as the Council Chambers and Chamber lobby, are not conducive to certain
meeting formats, and none of the spaces are large enough to accommodate large
meetings. The Council Chambers also has ADA limitations. While there are other
meeting spaces in the community, availability is often a challenge, and in some cases,
such as hotels, the cost is prohibitive.
Many towns and cities have a community room and meetings spaces to accommodate
municipal and community meetings. While the use of the room and spaces for non -
Town purposes would likely require a payment of a fee, the fee would be cost - recovery
only and would provide a valuable resource for local organizations and the residents
participating in the gatherings. In addition, these uses would be very consistent with
the general purpose of the Civic Center as a center for civic activity.
The proposed uses are most consistent with the Civic Center Master Plan and the
Environmental Impact Report completed for the new library. Renovation to
accommodate these uses would be relatively modest and would avoid the imposition of
higher building standards, as the uses do not require significant capital improvements.
Expansion of the upstairs restroom would achieve ADA standards throughout this floor.
Use of the spaces during weekdays would require creative collaboration to address
parking demand generated by the uses.
It is expected that the community room and meetings spaces will be used by local
organizations, in addition to use for municipal purposes. Several organizations have
approached the Town about the need for such space, and staff would collaborate with
potential users in designing the space. The community room would have the potential
to be used for a variety of creative uses. The limited improvements required to convert
the space into a community room and meeting spaces would also allow re -use and /or
flexible use of the space in the future.
LIBRARY RE -USE GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The re -use of the old Library is a rare and significant opportunity for the Town of Los Gatos to
enhance the use of the Civic Center and add to the quality of life of our residents. These Guiding
Principles provide a framework for considering the many options for deciding on the best use of
this valuable community asset.
Guiding Principles
1. The re -use of the old Library will add to the quality of life of Los Gatos residents.
2. The re -use of the old Library will be synergistic with other uses of the Civic Center.
Remodeling of the space will be done in such a manner as to:
a. Meet ADA access requirements
b. Avoid imposition of higher building standards
c. Minimize potential environmental impacts
d. Minimize the operational and maintenance costs to the Town
e. Eliminate any existing safety hazard
f. Meet Town parking requirements
g. Incorporate green building practices as feasible
4. Community collaborations and partnerships shall be explored.
5. Creative ways to use the space for multiple purposes shall be encouraged.
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FORMER LIBRARY RE -USE PROPOSAL
The summary information requested on this form is required. If you require more
room for any response, please attach additional sheets. You may also attach any
additional information you would like the Town to consider.
Name of Organization Town of Los Gatos
Contact Pamela Jacobs Signature (A"7
(Print Name)
Phone 408.354.6832 Email Address piacobsalosgatosca.gov
Address 110 E. Main St.
Title of Proposed Use of Space:
Town Offices, Flex Space and Storage
Square Feet Requested:
1,000 to 6.800
Description of Proposed Use and Activities:
This proposal is for use of a portion or all of the downstairs of the former library for
municipal government purposes. The specific uses at the low end of the range would
be for office space, both private and open offices, an associated small meeting room, a
staff break room, and storage. Use of the space beyond the minimum amount would be
to accommodate current operations that are currently constrained by space and /or
configuration limitations, relocating off -site storage to on -site, and future growth in Town
services requiring additional staff.
Days /Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 7 am. To 5 p.m.
Number of Daily Staff/Volunteers: No additional staff (unless future growth occurs)
Number of Daily Visitors: No additional visitors
Estimated Number of Parking Spaces Needed: No additional spaces needed (unless
future growth occurs)
Tenant and Capital Improvements: Describe modifications and /or improvements
needed for proposed use:
• Reconfiguration of space into private offices, open office areas, and meeting
room, requiring removal and relocation of non -load bearing walls.
• Potential wall and door leading into back storage area.
Special Requirements: Identify any other special requirements:
Costs and Funding:
Estimated capital improvement costs
Estimated annual operating costs:
Estimated annual maintenance costs:
$23,500 plus $130,000 for HVAC
No additional operating costs
$13,000
Funding source(s) for above: Capital /tenant improvements would be funded
via the Town's CIP and Facilities Budget. O & M costs would be covered within
existing Town budgets. If off -site storage was transferred on -site, general fund savings
would result.
Occupancy:
Where is this use currently located? Staff offices and conference room are currently
located in leased space in the Adult Recreation Center; however, these particular
offices may not be the ones located in the former library space. Office uses that would
be potentially relocated to the former library space are located throughout Town Hall,
and possibly at PPW.
When would your organization be ready to occupy the space? Once the capital and
tenant improvements are completed.
Guiding Principles:
Please discuss how your use of this space meets the Guiding Principles (attached):
The Town of Los Gatos provides important services to the community, contributing to
the health, welfare and public safety of the community, and, in turn, to the quality of life
for residents and businesses. The efficient delivery of municipal services requires
sufficient and functional space for staff and customers.
Prior to the expansion of the Police Operations Building and the construction of the new
library, Town employees were located in several houses purchased by the Town, and
were operating in space that offered cramped, inefficient quarters (i.e., police and
library). Concurrent with the construction of the new library, the Town made the
decision to lease out the Adult Recreation Center to the Recreation department. Town
staff now needs to be consolidated in the Civic Center facility.
The relocation of library services presents an ideal opportunity to utilize Civic Center
space to provide Town services. The lower end of space needs will accommodate staff
and meeting room due to the required relocation of the staff from the ARC. If the lower
floor of the old library were to be utilized for the purpose of providing Town services,
analysis would be done to determine the optimal functions to be housed there. The use
of the space could enable functions that are currently separate to be co- located, could
enable functions that currently operate in constrained spaces to function better, and
could provide much needed storage space and staff meeting areas. Storage areas
could also be shared with the Friends of the Library, which has need of additional space
to store its donated books.
From a longer -term perspective, the dedication of the lower floor of the old library for
municipal uses would enable the Town to accommodate any future growth in services
that may occur.
LIBRARY RE -USE GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The re -use of the old Library is a rare and significant opportunity for the Town of Los Gatos to
enhance the use of the Civic Center and add to the quality of life of our residents. These Guiding
Principles provide a framework for considering the many options for deciding on the best use of
this valuable community asset.
Guiding Principles
1. The re -use of the old Library will add to the quality of life of Los Gatos residents.
2. The re -use of the old Library will be synergistic with other uses of the Civic Center.
3. Remodeling of the space will be done in such a manner as to:
a. Meet ADA access requirements
b. Avoid imposition of higher building standards
c. Minimize potential environmental impacts
d. Minimize the operational and maintenance costs to the Town
e. Eliminate any existing safety hazard
f. Meet Town parking requirements
g. Incorporate green building practices as feasible
4. Community collaborations and partnerships shall be explored.
5. Creative ways to use the space for multiple purposes shall be encouraged.
Pamela Jacobs
From: Carol Schmitt <schmittyinca @gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 6:54 AM
To: Pamela Jacobs; mayor@ losgatosca.gov; Diana Abbati
Subject: Old Library Use is a Major Opportunity for Los Gatos Students, Home Owners &
Businesses
Pamela, Steve and Diana,
I was reading the front page "Weekly" article about discussions for repurposing the old library space.
As you know, at the same time Town budgets have been cut, Los Gatos K -8th public schools are also suffering.
The $3 million cut from operating expenses -- about $1000 per Los Gatos student -- is nothing compared to
issues associated with growth. You know that one of the biggest selling points of our community is our
schools. We've steadily increased enrollment and that is even without the impact on schools by new housing
developments on Los Gatos Blvd, North 40, etc.
So the library space is a HUGE opportunity. If you haven't met Diana Abbati, the superintendent for our K -8th
grade schools copied here, meeting her is also worth a cup of time or two.
You know that our "award winning schools" is every realtor's advertising claim. We know that our top school
reputation at minimum yields 10 -20% more sales price than houses literally across the street that fall in another
district. You know how important Los Gatos parents are to success of businesses. And we all pay taxes that get
divvied between Town and school.
At minimum, we need temp housing for a few classrooms of students while Lexington Elementary is being
built. Many students grew up with the old library. And the new library so close would be ideal. There isn't much
parking need either for small number of students.
Our kids daily education should be a top priority for everyone in this community and what better time than now
to show it? There are many reasons to at least have a talk. Wouldn't it be fantastic to find a win for the Town
that's a win for our schools, taxpayers and most importantly, our kids?
Thank you for suggesting times that work in your cameras for this very important meeting,
Carol
Carol Schmitt
Los Gatos resident since November 2000
Carol Schmitt / schmittyinca()gmail com / 408.656.6895
ATTACHMENT
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Peggy Gibbs < pigibbs2004(dvahoo.com >
To: Diane McNutt < mcnuttcotcDaol.com >
Cc: peggy.gibbs < peggv.gibbs(o)campbizsmart.org >; peggy.gibbs < peggy .gibbs(a)bizsmart.global.com
Sent: Fri, Apr 13, 2012 6:57 pm
Subject: Old Library use committee - how to follow the progress and even suggest ideas?
Hi Diane,
I know that this was in the LG Times once but somehow I misplaced it.
Is there a way to find out the possible uses for the space that the committee is investigating?
Do you know what the likely use of the space will be?
Is it possible to make a suggestion for the use of the old library building?
As a nonprofit and also a for profit that provides programs, seminars, events and trainings that
require conference space, I can tell you that rentable conference space is very limited in Silicon
Valley, but even more limited in the Los Gatos area.
Has anyone thought of turning the space into a community conference space that would be rented
out to earn money?
I am going to contact the new library to see if it might be possible to use the conference room for a
staff training.
Thanks for any information that you can offer.
Peggy
Peggy Gibbs
COO,Cofounder
Camp BizSmart
408.395.1937/800.475.0869.o ffice
408.472.2861
Inspiring Young Entrepreneurs
www.campbizsmart. org
www. ca=biz smartblog. o rg
Pamela Jacobs
From: Andrea Anderson <AndreaAnderson @gmx.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 6:02 PM
To: Pamela Jacobs
Subject: use of former library
Dear Pamela,
I would like to submit an idea for future use of the old library!
It actually consists of two uses. One is a toy library. Many families in Los Gatos have far too many very nice
toys and I am sure would contribute towards stocking a nice toy library. Kids can borrow quality toys, just like
books in a real library.
It could hopefully be run by volunteers and be stocked up by donations. I personally always regret giving away
nice toys that my kids have outgrown and would feel much more comfortable, if other kids could still benefit
them or revisiting them and see other kids have fun with them. I think many parents have come to the stage
that they don't want to own every toy as it soon becomes clutter. Benefitting from a toy for a while and being
able to give it away after a while seems like a very sustainable solution. We used a toy library when we lived in
London and it was very successful. It was actually a lovely place to play and meet as well, thus the community
would benefit. I would suggest, absolutely no electronic toys.
The other part of my idea is a book library, but foreign books. There are many international families in the area
and I am sure when they do a clearance can give away books in other languages. It is a waste to just trash this
collection of international knowledge. On the other side it is difficult or expensive to get hold of foreign books if
you are bringing up your children bilingually. My children grow up bilingually with German as a second
language and I just did a clearance of German books. To be honest, I found it a waste giving them to the
charity shop as the chances of the right person stepping by are fairly slim. Specially in an international area like
ours it is very nice for the children to browse in books in other languages as well. Most kids relate to some
languages here or are encountered with Spanish at least. You could even implement Story Times, where
native speakers read stories and talk about them to the kids. This is particularly successful with traditional
native stories or stories that the children know in their own language.
I hope you like my ideas
Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards,
Andrea Anderson
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