The proposed site (upper left corner of image) for relocation of the Escondido Library would insert the facility into the community to serve as a catalyst for other development and does not require a parking structure because it is adjacent to existing city parking for Grape Day Park.
The Escondido City Council last week moved forward on plans to build a new library, expand Grape Day Park (pictured), and ultimately create a hip downtown core with a mix of residential and commercial development. The proposal calls for establishing a public-private partnership and bond issue for up to $100M, which would require a two-thirds majority vote by city residents to bring the project to fruition. The city plans to issue a request for qualifications and engage in conversations with developers meeting the city’s criteria in the very near future.
Councilmember Olga Diaz said the bond measure includes everything the council can envision for the expanded park. At lease $41M in bonds is required to finance the $55.9M library, with other funding sources, including sale of the existing library building ($2.5M), New Tax Credits ($10M) and energy savings ($2.5M), making up the difference.
Escondido mayor Sam Abed said the selected developer could be asked to develop the public components at a competitive cost in exchange for the ability to develop the CBD’s commercial and residential, revenue-generating components. He said the first step is to engage citizens by holding public meetings to gather their input and support. A citizen poll by city staff indicated overwhelming support for a bond issue to build a new library—more support than a plan to rehab and expand the existing library at cost of about $39M.
The council agreed a new library should be built at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Escondido Boulevard, between Woodward and Washington avenues. The site affords the greatest opportunity for creating a synergy to spark commercial and residential projects that would activate the CBD. The estimated $55.9M library cost includes acquisition of the land; relocation of businesses that now occupy the site; expansion of Grape Day Park north to Washington Avenue; and potentially adding amenities, including an Olympic-size competition swimming pool and an amphitheater.
