Pasadena Public Library to Host Community Meeting on Earthquake Retrofit Project Wednesday

The City of Pasadena will host a community meeting at the La Pintoresca Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will present the current design development and program space recommendations for the Pasadena Central Library Earthquake Retrofit and Building Repairs Project.

The Pasadena Central Library Earthquake Retrofit and Building Repairs Project is an initiative to ensure the safety and functionality of the Pasadena Central Library, which is recognized as a hazard due to its unreinforced masonry (URM) bearing walls.

The project aims to enhance its earthquake resilience while preserving its historic fabric and character-defining features.

The project began in 2021, following a seismic evaluation that indicated the library’s structural vulnerabilities, leading to its closure. The City of Pasadena secured $9 million in funding from the State to fund the project’s design and environmental documentation phase.

The project’s construction phase remains unfunded, and the City is seeking additional funding opportunities from State, federal, and local sources.

As of March 2024, the total projected costs for the reconstruction and seismic retrofit of the Central Library are estimated to be between $175 million and $195 million.

The project is being led by a design team from Gruen Associates, with City staff from Libraries and Public Works available to answer questions. The project team has held a series of community meetings since spring 2023 to provide updates on the seismic earthquake approach, schematic design, and draft design and programs.

The Pasadena Public Library, the main library system serving the City of Pasadena, is an essential resource for the community. It promotes the free expression of ideas and provides access to diverse perspectives on various subjects. The library system offers meeting rooms and exhibit spaces at several branches for public use.

Armenian, Mandarin, and Spanish will be provided for those attendees requesting translation. For accessibility information or to request an accommodation, contact CSC@CityofPasadena.net or (626) 744-7311. Providing at least 72 hours advance notice will help ensure availability.