New Brisbane Library

In 2014, the City Council identified the L.T. Clarke/5 Star Café site as the preferred site for the new Brisbane Library and afterwards formed a Library Planning Stakeholder Group.  This group was comprised of representatives from the Friends of the Brisbane Library, Mothers of Brisbane, San Mateo County Library Staff, Brisbane School District, BEST/PTO, City Council (1 member, plus 1 alternate), a Parks and Recreation Commissioner, the City Manager, and the Public Works Director.  Below is a bulleted list of the actions and events that have taken place over the years, with the last bullet being the estimated project completion.

• Library Planning Stakeholder Group (LPSG) reviews architectural-engineering RFPs (early 2016)
• LPSG recommends architectural and design firm (Siegel & Strain) to Council (April, 2016)
• 50% design of the New Brisbane Library to Council (November 3, 2016 meeting)
• Council adopts a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND)* for the new Library (February 2, 2017 meeting)
• Council approves final design of the Library and invites construction bids (March 15, 2018 meeting)
• Council awards construction contract (May 17, 2018 meeting)
• Construction of the Library starts (July 2, 2018)
• Groundbreaking Ceremony (July 14, 2018)
• Construction ends (October 2020)
• New Brisbane Library Virtual Dedication Ceremony (October 24, 2020)
• Library Celebration and City's 60th Anniversary (October 23, 2021)

As far as funding goes, the County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize $300K in Measure A funds for design purposes at their March 29, 2016 meeting.  The County Library System will provide $400,000 for furniture and furnishings.  The Friends of the Brisbane Library had a goal to raise $100,000 for the new Brisbane Library and have comfortably exceeded that. They engaged Precita Eyes for a community-designed mural, located in the courtyard.

At their March 15, 2018 City Council Meeting, the Brisbane City Council approved an agreement with the County of San Mateo for a $1.7 million loan at an interest rate of 1.2% for 15 years.  The estimated cost of the Library is $9,065,000.  Approximately $3.6 million would come from City funds, with all of its Business License revenue dedicated to Capital Improvements.  See the staff report and cost breakdown here.

* The Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) study found that the new Library would not have a significant effect on the environment because mitigation measures have been incorporated into the project.