California Residents View Combined Firehouse, Library Plans

Residents this week got a first look at three versions of the exterior plans for a new combined Corona del Mar fire station and library at a community meeting at Sherman Library & Gardens.

In 2014, city staff confirmed that plans were in the works to demolish the existing fire station and library on Marigold Avenue and rebuild them as one facility. In March, the Newport Beach City Council approved a contract with an architect, but residents opposed early plans that reduced the new library to 2,500 feet from its current 3,750 feet.

The Friends of the CdM Library formed and discussed the need for a bigger – not smaller – library space. In June, the architect revealed new plans that increased the second-story space for the fire station and added to the library’s first-floor space. The project already has been budgeted for $6 million, but the plan most preferred by many community members could add as much as $1 million to the project’s cost.

More than 50 residents at Monday’s meeting saw the options, which included a “cottage” look, a “prairie” look and a more contemporary design with a flat roof. Most people, including city staff, seemed to prefer the “prairie” look.

City staff said the three exterior options would all have the same interior, with 3,800 square feet of library space, 450 square feet of outdoor reading patio space, with the fire station living quarters on a second floor and the fire engine equipment garage adjacent to the library. The new design would also have seven additional parking spaces, Deputy Public Works Director Mark Vukojevic said.

In a question-and-answer session, one man asked whether project planners had considered future changes in fire equipment in planning the new building, which will have a 50-year span. Others asked about using decorative pavers in the parking lot and if solar panels could be installed.

The architect, Kelley Needham of WLC Architects, said the building would be able to accommodate solar panels, but they were an expense that likely wouldn’t be included in the budget.

Friends of the CdM Library founder Joy Brenner praised city staff for listening to the public and taking their suggestions into consideration.

“I can’t tell you how cooperative the city has been, and the architect has been amazing,” Brenner said.

The City Council could consider voting on the new plans, including an addition of up to $1 million in funds on top of $6 million already approved, at a meeting in October.

Originally, staff said construction could begin in spring and take about 14 months. Vukojevic said Monday that construction likely would begin in summer and take 14 to 16 months. During that time, a temporary fire station could be set up in the OASIS Senior Center’s auxiliary lot, and library services could be handled at the Central Library, the OASIS Senior Center or Grant Howald Park, he said.

– Amy Senk writes forcoronadelmartoday.com.