I'm no doubt in the minority here but I like the existing main library building (aesthetically and functionally) and don't see the great need for additional space, never mind the city-funded study which found it's required for "studying, tutoring, meetings and perhaps a 'maker space'". And if that 11,000 s.f. comes at the cost of removing trees and paving over more of the lawn area in our community center then I'm actively opposed to any such project. I have never once been at the library when it was (what I might deem) overcrowded, so if private spaces are needed for tutoring, meetings or the like perhaps a smaller interior remodel in one wing might suffice.

Mark

I agree with Mark D. I see no reason for the city to take on debt for a library remodel when the pressing need is for a Belle Haven branch. Parking can be a problem when there are events going on elsewhere in Burgess Park or the civic center, but crowding at the library is never a problem. If the need is for meeting space, why not remodel the building across from the city offices? That space is underutilized and could be used for meetings and work-space.

I use the library several times a year personally and now that I have a grandson, I am utilizing it weekly to attend their toddler programs on Thursday. I have read the input of Mark D and I see his viewpoint, but I think a remodeled modern library which invites people in would be a great upgrade to our community. I like the work tables and study carrells and nooks and crannies. I think using some city funds is a good beginning, but getting the Friends of the Library to do a crowd sourcing campaign is also possible. I would be happy to donate and I will bet that many residents would. I don't know about the Belle Haven need for a library, but I certainly support having satellite libraries if there is proof that it would be utilized. Please keep the public informed of your plans.

Well run organizations depreciate their capital assets and then fund that depreciation so that they have the funds required to replace those assets when necessary. That can't be done if the organization spends all of its current revenues on current expenses.

Expanding or building a library at the existing site was not deemed to be one of the City's priorities! The Council deemed that residents in the Belle Haven needed/deserved an upgraded library....at that was the priority for the City until the $25 million offer from Mr. Arrillaga came along. Now, the Council is looking to re-order City priorities (that have had citizen input) to grab the money. Why would the Council consider selling City property? Couldn't that property be better used to address other needs (like BMR housing)? Seems like the City/Council is chasing the money rather than focusing on the real needs and priorities of MP residents. A new library is a "nice" have but not a "must" have.

I wish this money could be used towards re-vamping the Belle Haven branch library! There is a great need for a fully accessible branch library on this side of the freeway.

If the consultants who did the study came up with ~$33mil to buildout to 44k feet, where is Mr. Arrilaga's estimate of $45mil (our 20, his $25 coming from)? Is he including costs that aren't accounted for by the consultants?

Didn't I read that the City is considering a development tax for all of the new development in MP? That would be an excellent way to fund two libraries.

Also, we have a general fund. I think it might include ticket income, including camera tickets, and a lot of other monies. That would be a great place to get funds for city improvements and upgrades. Does anyone know the size of the gf and the sorts of things the city uses it for?

I'm referring to large business developments, not small residential developments.

My comments, round 1.

Web Link

Stu is precisely correct - libraries as we know them are no longer needed.

The City needs to come into the digital age and revisualize the entire community's information needs and the entire community's need for common meeting spaces rather than just building a new and bigger library West of 101.

@ MPer "Didn't I read that the City is considering a development tax for all of the new development in MP? That would be an excellent way to fund two libraries."

I don't know what that is. Consultants have pointed out to the city that they COULD impose a tax on development to fund infrastructure improvements but the council has not put any in place. Facebook skates by, Greenheart skates by, and Stanford is about to skate by.

I agree with those concerned about Belle Haven library. It is totally inadequate in size, access, hours open. That needs to be a higher priority. Sometimes a glittering object is a distraction. That shouldn't take the place of planning and priority setting.

Short answer: Menlo Park does not have sufficient funds. Don't expect a new library anytime soon

I am reminded of counsel from a wise friend:

"Sometimes free is too expensive."

infrastructure costs are usually met when new developments are proposed to a city. In order to have that power to negotiate with developers, our council should have and can in the future keep the developer's right to build at a level at which most will want more. They answer to investors. That's the wiggle room where a city has power to enter into a negotiation with a developer. Our council gave that right away when it drew up the Specific Plan for El Camino Real and the downtown and then did it again when the General Plan was updated. The City hires consultants who either have relationships with developers or are in favor of changing suburbs into urban areas. (More consulting work for them?)

Facebook should have been held to a lower cap for its buildings and a cap for the number of cars it will allow. Stanford is held to such caps by Santa Clara County.

remember, Stanford may not pay anything more in property tax than it has paid in the past. If it fills the office and housing with Stanford affiliated business or employees, the city will lose out. In exchange for this egregious give away, the city should beg (shame) the university to pick up the entire bill for the caltrain undercrossing that will allow the tenants of this 400,000 sf development to access Burgess park. Yes, they can use our park without paying property tax.

Our council needs to take a basic lesson from SF and SJ. It is giving our town away and leaving behind the very people who live her.

Read my update:

Web Link

Just finished reading “Menlo Park Library Decision Should Be Revisited”. I am confused. Is not a “billionaire” someone who is worth one thousand million dollars? Seems strange that someone like Mr. Arrillaga would not be able to carve out one of his thousand million dollars and rebuild the library on his own. Also, with the leftover, he ought to be able to build or refurnish many other libraries in Menlo Park, Redwood City, and neighboring cities. I wonder why he does not do so?

Jeff, Are you saying Mr. Arrillaga should build a library in Menlo Park( and other communities) just because he is a billionaire successful businessman and can afford to do so? I believe he has made a very generous offer to the city to assist the city in rebuilding and adding on to the existing library if that is what the city wants to do. It is now up to the city to decide if it wants to accept his offer.

A decision to build a new library where one is NOT needed over one that IS needed in a less well off part of town is racist.

Just the kind of thing Trump would do.

Don't be like Trump, Menlo Park.

Yes, the concept of a library and scope of library services is evolving, and a "library" building needs to evolve accordingly. Thankfully we have professional library staff and volunteers who are ready and willing to take on the challenge of making sure the library provides the right mix of resources and programs (story time, resume workshops, study/meeting spaces) for the community it serves. However, we must provide them the tools and space to do so. IN BOTH BELLE HAVEN AND THE CIVIC CENTER.

On a personal note, any parent of young children (and there are lots of us in Menlo Park) will attest that it is increasingly challenging to limit "screen time", especially on rainy days. A well-appointed space filled with a thoughtfully curated collection of hard copy books is an invaluable, and increasingly scarce resource. Let's preserve and improve the ones we have.

"we have professional library staff and volunteers who are ready and willing to take on the challenge of making sure the library provides......."

The problem with that statement is that it begins with the premise that these "library" people know what the broader wants in terms of information resources and places for the community to come together.

Asking their automobile dealers what kind of new cars they wanted did not turn out too well for the Big Three.

@Peter Carpenter

Same critique applies to "fire" people who thought it would be a good idea to send eminent domain notices to the family who lives next to the Chilco Street fire station.

"send eminent domain notices to the family who lives next to the Chilco Street fire station."

No such notices were ever sent - please do your homework before make such false statements.

@Peter Carpenter

"In mid-February, the fire district sent letters to three residences, including the Hoermanns, at 1457 Chilco St., 321 Terminal Ave. and 351 Terminal, to announce the possibility of acquiring the properties so it can expand a station at 1467 Chilco."

Web Link

Thank you for proving my point - these were NOT eminent domain notices.