PASADENA, Calif. - On May 3, 2021, City officials were forced to order the closure of the Pasadena Central Library located at 285 E. Walnut St. A recent structural assessment conducted by the City revealed that most of the building is comprised of unreinforced masonry (URM) bearing walls that leaves the building vulnerable to seismic activity. The building must remain closed until seismic retrofit of the building is completed to meet life safety requirements.
On Monday, Nov. 1, the Department of Public Works issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the preparation of the environmental document and architectural and engineering design services for the seismic retrofit, as well as additional services for building systems upgrades and renovations at the library including: installation of a new fire alarm and fire sprinkler system; roof repair/replacement; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades; and improvements to the exterior courtyard and parking lot.
Parties interested in responding to the RFP can find information on the City’s website at www.cityofpasadena.net/finance/doing-business-with-the-city. Prospective consultants may obtain the RFP documents by clicking on the tab for Bid Opportunities and completing the new vendor registration via PlanetBids, the City’s online vendor portal. A mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held on Nov. 17 at the Central Library, and the deadline to submit proposals is Dec. 15. Prospective consultant interviews are expected to commence in early February of 2022, with the award of contract by City Council anticipated in Spring 2022.
Designed by Myron Hunt and H.C. Chambers in 1924, Central Library was the first building completed in Pasadena’s historic Civic Center Plan and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open since 1927, the library serves as an educational and community cornerstone for the public, averaging approximately 55,000 visitors per month. The library houses a collection of over 345,000 items and provides the public with access to computers, WiFi, and high-speed internet. As part of the seismic retrofit effort, the City will restore the building while maintaining its historic architectural significance.
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