Almaden library and community center remodel on track
By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Renovation plans for the new 64,000-square foot Almaden Library and Community Center are nearing their final stages, with ground breaking slated for June 2004.

“We are about 50 percent through the design phase at this time and expect to complete it by the end of the year,” commented Richard Desmond, director of branch library development. “Then we'll go off to bid in the spring and hopefully start construction by mid June.”

In addition to Tiny Town, a dedicated space for young children, the facility will feature a gym, multi-purpose room, cooking class and demonstration room, new technology lab with computer access, group study and storytelling areas as well as Senior Net.

“Essentially we are on target,” commented Jo Coffaro, with Vice-Mayor Pat Dando's office. “We are now looking into leasing space nearby to conduct programs while under construction.”

At a recent community meeting, three artists were selected to begin working on the public art project that will incorporate a mixture of murals, glasswork and sculpture woven throughout the facility. All three will work as a team in an effort to mix the art with the architecture, aesthetics and surrounding patio area. An additional community meeting will be held sometime in November to meet with the artists and discuss the project. “We will come together and tell them what it is we like about the community and what makes Almaden special –the history, the beautiful hills, Mt. Umunum, the mines,” added Coffaro. “This will allow the community the opportunity to have a say in what they will see in the future artwork. From that conversation, they will build the concepts and present them for later review.”

According to concerns, one goal was to preserve the existing redwood trees. As a result, the buildings were designed to specifically incorporate the trees as requested by the community. “We may not be able to save all of them due to root and disease issues, but we will try to save as many as possible,” explained Coffaro. “It really depends on the root structure. We'll know how many when we start construction, but we may lose some.”

The project will take approximately 18 months to complete and is expected to open around January 2006. “That's about five months sooner than we told the public,” added Desmond. “We managed to compress the design and construction phase.”

During the construction phase, the old library and community center will be completely demolished. Desmond advises patrons to use the new library on Blossom Hill Road, which is slated to open by the time the Almaden branch closes.

For more information, log on to www.newsanjoselibraries.com or call the branch library development team at 794-1400.