Campbell Library Project Awarded $5.2M in Additional Funding
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The design for the renovation of the Campbell Library is in the final stages to incorporate the critical features now possible with $4,718,450 in additional funding provided by the California State Library's Building Forward Grant Program. This new program provided a unique opportunity for the city to add sustainability features to the library enhancement project, as well as address escalated construction costs following the pandemic.
The City of Campbell and the Santa Clara County Library District applied for and were then awarded the grant in December 2022. The funds will be applied to a specified list of safety and infrastructure improvements, including the conversion of the entire library into an all-electric facility and the addition of a new emergency generator to provide back-up power to the entire building in the event of a power outage.
Additionally, Silicon Valley Clean Energy provided $500,000 towards all-electric efforts. The electrical conversion of the 24,000 square-foot Campbell Library will eliminate natural gas usage from one of Campbell’s largest operated facilities. These improvements also have the potential to reduce long-term maintenance costs while greatly expanding citywide energy conservation efforts.
“We are excited to share the latest information around the city’s Library renovation plans”, said Susan M. Landry, Campbell Vice Mayor and Library JPA Board Member. “The injection of an additional $5.2M allows us, among other things, to convert the Library to an all-electric facility, putting us one step closer to our vision of a cleaner, greener, energy-efficient city.”
This generous infusion of grant money now allows part of the original Measure O budget to be redirected to other important design elements including improvements to the overall aesthetics and to mitigate noise levels throughout the space—something that is important in a public library where thousands of residents visit daily to read, work, study, attend programs and relax.
Griffin Structures has been selected by the city of Campbell as the construction management firm for both the Library and Police Measure O projects. The Library project will likely go out to bid in late May or early June 2023 with construction planned to begin later in the summer and will take approximately 20 months to complete.
Until the fully renovated library is available, the most popular materials and core services are offered to the community at the Campbell Express Library, located at the Campbell Community Center at 1 West Campbell Avenue, Room E46. This move to an “express” model is efficient, eliminates the need for funds to go toward expensive ongoing repairs for end of life building systems, and enables that funding to go to the full and permanent renovated library project.
“The Campbell Express Library has been a nice resource for the community while we await the completion of this important project. Campbell deserve a library facility that is as flexible, dynamic and vibrant as its residents,” said County Librarian Jennifer Weeks. “The new facility will serve as a community hub where all ages are welcome to read, learn, work, relax and connect with others while enjoying a wide variety of library resources and services.”
For the latest information on the Library and Police Measure O project, visit the City of Campbell website or the January 23, 2023, Campbell City Council meeting packet.
