The Daily Journal/Angela Swartz, 9/20/14. "Library renovations may finish early: Fundraising for Burlingame project is close to $1 million goal."
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| Burlingame library, main Primrose Road branch |
| Burlingame library, Easton Drive branch |
.... The City Council awarded a $1.74 million construction contract to Zolman Construction and Development to create the new tech and media lab with updated computers and LCD screens, video conferencing capabilities, four group study rooms, a new conference room that fits 20 people, an expanded teen area, a Burlingame Library Foundation bookstore and cafe, along with new carpeting.
Financing is also happening quickly, Harding said. The City
Council agreed to pledge $2.5 million, while the library foundation is
charged with raising the remaining $1 million through donations and
public fundraising. So far, the library’s capital campaign committee has
raised $672,000 of the $1 million pledged or donated since it began
fundraising in November 2013, Harding said. The library has a personal
goal of raising $750,000 by December 2014. Read article.
Reference - City of Burlingame, Public Libraries, includes renovation information. Wikipedia/Burlingame, CA. "Public libraries: Burlingame Library is located in Burlingame. It was established by city
ordinance October 11, 1909. Following the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989
the City approved a bond issue to reconstruct the library. The
architecture has won awards and was featured in Library Journal as well
as earning a cover story in American Libraries. There is a secondary
location on Easton Drive, which is substantially smaller than the main
branch. Both are operated by the Peninsula Library System, the library authority for the county."
Related, this city - City of Pacifica, Public Libraries. Pacifica Library Foundation/projects. Under the commentary of Why a new library is needed, there are the following statements: "The annual budget for operating two libraries in Pacifica in FY 2008-09 was approximately $2.1 million per year. ....There is a great deal of duplicated materials among our two libraries. .... In addition to an expanded collection having a modern facility could
include expanded space. Imagine having quiet reading areas, Program
space, a popular-materials marketplace, a computer lab, a teen zone,
community meeting rooms of different sizes for group study and business
meetings, and a café. All these would be possible in 21st Century
Pacifica library!" By comparison, the Burlingame library improvements represent 10% of the cost ($30+ million) proposed to build a one only, new library in the City of Pacifica, (paid by parcel owner tax payers of Pacifica).
Note photographs of Burlingame, CA libraries: The main library photograph from the Wikipedia reference above (scroll down), the Easton Branch library from the City of Burlingame/Easton Branch.
Posted by Kathy Meeh
17 comments:
The only thing Pacifica has in common with any of these towns is we share the same planet. Maybe.
I can see where the Council is coming from regarding a new library on Palmetto. They want to draw the people who already go to Sanchez out to Palmetto. That is probably 10 more people a day. They think if they build it, a new library, new people will come to check it out. Maybe. I like the idea of renovation and expansion better, and some other tenant at Beach Blvd. Someone whined about the two post offices, controlled by U.S. General Services Administration. We could always have a Boss new central post office on Palmetto, at Beach Blvd., and they could close down Manor and Roberts Road, and someone else, other than the taxpayers would pay for it...the developer of Beach Blvd. With Recology staying put, Palmetto could be a "go-to" place for utilities and postal needs. Am I onto something or smoking crack?
Apple Jack, that's crack!
Crack, I think you answered your own question.
Apple Jack. I'm seeing stuff, too. Visions of our terribly earnest council members wearing little matching backpacks that say 'Follow Me Pacifica-Pick Up Your Butts' as they set off on an inaugural hike years from now from the still undeveloped money-pit on Beach Blvd to the Pedro Point Trail and all the way to Devil's Slide. No cheating, it's up and over Mori Point for you! Karen, Karen, wait for the others. Mike, carry someone. Mary Ann, pop a blister!
Besides Karen and Mary Ann who else on City council has read a book?
752 Yeaaah, sure, that explains why they want a new library.
Most people on the planet would love access to any sort of library. The two Pacifica branches are just fine and serve their respective 'hoods well. If they're a little retro and lacking in bells and whistles--well so is Pacifica. I love libraries but bragging rights to a new one should not be a priority in this struggling town.
Local Lib, you mean this trail may not pull in hiking-crazed visitors from around the world bearing cash? We won't be rich? The only thing in our potholes will be pots? Well at least council didn't save this parcel from development by building something smelly on it.
our budget is in a death spiral, so let's invest thirty million united states dollars that we don't have in a non-revenue-generating project
we're freaking juggling money from one fund to another so fast that we've lost track of four million of it and are treating residents like walking ATMs when it comes to the sewer fund (which by the way we borrowed from again to cover pensions we could never pay in the first place) but hey let's sign on the dotted line and commit ourselves to a 5.5 million dollar trail to nowhere and lets build a new library and get me a pony, daddy
jesus how can council show their faces in public after making these decisions
Look at the housing stats comparison between Burlingame and Pacifica ..
Homes valued $1 million or more:
Burlingame - 60.95%
Pacifica - 4.17%
Half Moon Bay - 19.72%
There are ways to improve the condition of real estate in Pacifica. However, I doubt anyone on the city council is actually earnest about it.
There is no revenue base. And the spending is disproportionate. Basic accounting fail.
Some people should put down the bag of potato chips and clean the outside of their houses. Paint is cheap and cut the damned weeds.
Lots of shit holes around town.
Pedro Point has million dollar houses. Park Pacifica had a couple that sold just over a million. Chuck the cpa and real estate broker sold the first million dollar house in Park Pacifica.
Linda Mar hit a high of $775,000 at the market peak.
I think a few in east Sharp park sold for over a million.
Guess those would be part of the 4.17% Local Lib mentions.
Actually there are several houses in West Sharp Park that have sold for well over a million.
1 Carmel sold way back in 2002 for $1,060,000. 1785 Beach Blvd Last sold: Mar 2005 for $1,340,000.
1977 Beach Blvd is now listed for 1.5
That's why we shouldn't be putting a library on such valuable property.
Hotel with a CCC pleasing public plaza. TOT over a million per year, jobs, real traffic to the area. No place for a library.
Well, gee, Local Lib it's not so bad. San Bruno wanted to annex the whole place back in the 50s. Something about a dump-either Pacifica was one or they wanted one. Incorporate!! We sure showed them!
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