Central Library Earthquake Retrofit and Building Repairs Project

Influenced by a nationwide "City Beautiful" movement, Pasadenans first considered building a civic center as early as 1902. In 1922, the Chicago firm of Bennett, Parsons, and Frost was hired to devise a plan for Pasadena. In June of 1923, voters approved a bond for $3.5 million to fund the construction of the Civic Center consisting of the Central Library, City Hall, and Civic Auditorium. Ten California architectural firms were invited to submit drawings for all three buildings and were advised to use the architectural styles of the Renaissance or later periods as found in Mediterranean countries.

In 1924, the design for the Library submitted by the firm of Myron Hunt and H.C. Chambers placed first. The beautiful entry, patio, grand facade, and good opportunities for expansion were key factors in the decision. Construction of the Pasadena Central Library began on May 19, 1925. This is why the year 1925 is carved in Roman numerals over the front entrance of the building after "Public Library of the City of Pasadena." It was dedicated on Lincoln's birthday, February 12, 1927.

Central Library underwent a massive, historically sensitive restoration and renovation between 1984 and 1990. The Pasadena Public Library Foundation paid for all interior restoration. The Foundation was formed in 1983 as a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation and to date has raised over $3 million in individual, foundation, and corporate gifts specifically earmarked for architectural renovation and preservation of Central Library. In October of 1990 the Pasadena Central Library was given the National Preservation Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Since its opening, the Central Library has served as a hub of civic activity and remains as vital a community resource as ever. Central Library served as a destination for those who needed access to computers, Wi-Fi, or high-speed internet, as well as a variety of productivity software for job searching, research, or personal use. Central Library has housed the iLab for the last two years - an innovative space that provides the community with access to maker equipment like 3-D printers, Carvey machines, sewing machines, and more.

Central Library was also the home of the Office of the Young Child - a City-wide systems change initiative to bring all resources and activities for children up to five years of age and their families together. And importantly, the Central Library served as the repository of Pasadena's local history archives, providing valuable historical documents, newspapers, photos, and research.

With Central Library approaching its centennial birthday in 2027, an assessment of the building’s condition and its various systems was completed in 2020. The project provided a general assessment and repairs to various building systems to include mechanical, plumbing, electrical, roof; and design of a new fire alarm and fire sprinkler system. The inspection discovered that the building consists of an unreinforced masonry structure, with walls that are not fastened to the building’s foundation, nor to the reinforced concrete floor beams and the timber roof they support. As such, a preliminary structural analysis of the building was completed in April 2021 revealing that the building does not meet the recommended structural performance objectives in a seismic event.

On May 3rd , 2021, City officials were forced to close the Central Library until earthquake retrofit and building repairs could be completed to meet life safety requirements. The structural assessment revealed it was vulnerable to seismic activity and subject to collapse during an earthquake.

While the City has nine branch libraries, the Central Library is home to almost 300,000 items in its collection. As such, it is not possible to relocate all these materials to the branches. Soon after closure, Library staff  pursued options for the continued operation of Library programs and the relocation of the collection, including use of a modular building in the Central Library parking lot that currently serves as a materials handling location to ensure new materials are making their way into the system and circulating.

The City-owned Rose Palace on Raymond Avenue was identified to store a large amount of the collection, where it would be accessible to Library staff to retrieve and deliver to the branches as needed. In the interim, the City of Pasadena also leased the vacant Jefferson School to offer children and teen services.

In anticipation of the project start date, the Central Library parking lot closed on August 18, 2025.

The construction fence is up and work on Central Library has begun. Here is what is happening now.

Selective Demo and Constructability
Completed in early 2026, this involved removing the historical fabric of the building including the removal and  cataloging of all the historic finishes such as millwork and wood shelving, then crating and relocating the historic finishes and furniture to a climatized off-site warehouse, as well as the identification and abatement of hazardous materials, removal and demolition of existing mechanical, electrical, technology cabling, and plumbing systems and the completion of the Historic American Building Survey (HABS).

Preconstruction/ Design Assist services / Professional services from Gruen
In this phase PCL Construction Services (PCL) worked with Gruen Associates to research and identify challenges in the design and the existing structure that could not have been identified without further investigation. Completion of Phase 1 preconstruction services and Phase 1A selective demolition has substantially reduced the uncertainties typically associated with the seismic retrofit and renovation of a historic structure. Based on the completion of Phases 1 and 1A, staff recommended that City Council approve the negotiated Phase 2 Guaranteed Maximum Price to allow the project to proceed into full construction.

Phase 2 Full Construction
City Council approved an amendment to PCL's contract to begin Phase 2 on March 2, 2026. Phase 2 construction as begun, and completion is targeted for Summer 2028.

In April 2021, in preparation for the 100-year anniversary of Central Library on Feb. 12, 2027, an inspection of the building for maintenance and upgrades was conducted by City building officials. Included in it was a seismic inspection. It was determined that the nearly 100-year-old Central Library needed a significant earthquake retrofit. For the safety of patrons and library staff Central Library was closed on May 3, 2021.

With the Central Library having served as an educational and cultural hub in Pasadena for almost 100 years, the City established a Community Programming Committee  to evaluate how the Central Library space can be reimagined to enhance the library’s capacity and services, taking into consideration current and future programming needs of the community. Comprised of community leaders with backgrounds in non-profit organizations, library operations, historic preservation, and media, they began meeting in September of 2022. Over four months and six meetings, these 11 passionate library advocates discussed the library’s positive role in the community, potential programs and services, and space planning. Many ideas were generated to share with the design team in the Central Library Community Programming Committee Report. Next steps for the Central Library Earthquake Retrofit and Building Repairs Project will include the development and implementation of a public outreach plan as recommended by the Committee. Reaching beyond the Committee, the plan will include engagement of community stakeholders at project milestones to help inform the design process.

In October 2022, Mayor Victor Gordo appointed a Technical Oversight Committee  to review key findings and recommend design solutions at key milestones, as well as provide feedback to the project team and updates to City Council. Committee members included professionals and educators with backgrounds in architecture, structural engineering, seismology, and historic preservation, representing Pasadena Heritage, Caltech, American Institute of Architects (AIA), and others.

On Feb. 6, 2023, at the regularly scheduled meeting, the Pasadena City Council approved a contract to move forward and begin the process of seismically retrofitting and making building repairs to the Pasadena Central Library. (View the presentation made to City Council on Jan. 23, 2023, resulting in the award.)  Gruen Associates and their qualified team of sub-consultants were awarded the contract  for professional design services for the retrofit project. This includes preparation of environmental documentation, final construction drawings and cost estimates for construction.

At the time of the contract award to Gruen Associates, Council directed staff and the design team to return to City Council with three viable earthquake retrofit approaches.  Council would evaluate the merits of each approach and provide direction on which approach to proceed with a schematic design.

Since the award of the contract, the design team has vetted multiple retrofit alternatives with the Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) and the City’s structural peer review advisory team comprised of Nabih Youssef and Associates (NYA) and Michael Krakower of Krakower & Associates. The number of alternatives were narrowed to three based on the evaluation criteria set forth in by the project’s established goals and objectives (link this to the goals and objectives tab – see notes below).

The Gruen design team completed the following additional studies and reports to assist in the development of retrofit approaches:

• Structural and building risk assessment modeling;
• Report identifying all contributing and non-contributing historic character-defining features in concurrence with the Secretary of the Interior Standards;
• Assessment of building systems including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems determining existing conditions and their remaining useful life;
• Site accessibility assessment identifying upgrades necessary for compliance with building codes for existing buildings;
• Fire/life safety systems evaluation for compliance with current building codes;
• Building envelope and waterproofing assessment to determine existing roof conditions and locations of other possible water intrusion; and
• Testing of building’s acoustic systems performance.

On Aug. 21, 2023, City Council approved the staff’s recommendation to approve the concrete shear wall earthquake retrofit approach and to proceed with the development of the schematic design of the project.

On June 10, 2024, City Council approved a recommended scope of work for the project that will lift the red-tag so the Library can open its doors to the community again, provide functional enhancements to address community needs; flexibility for the future; and replacement of outdated technology and critical buildings systems that are near the end of their useful life. The City is committed to re-opening the doors of Pasadena’s Central Library as a safe, historic, and functional space for all.  This project will ensure the library remains a cornerstone in the community.

On July 22, 2024, City Council adopted a Resolution of Necessity and conducted a First Reading of an Ordinance to submit a bond measure to voters in the November 5, 2024 General Election for the purpose of financing the Central Library earthquake retrofit, repairs and upgrades. At a special meeting on July 29, 2024, City Council approved further resolutions, conducted a second reading of the Ordinance, and adopted the Ordinance finalizing the submission of this bond measure to the ballot.  To learn more about Measure PL: the Central Library Earthquake Retrofit, Repair and Upgrade Measure, visit https://www.cityofpasadena.net/measurepl/.

In November 2024, Pasadena voters approved Measure PL, a $195 million bond measure to fund the construction phase of the project, reaffirming the City's commitment to both preserving the Central Library and enhancing its role as a vital community resource. Private donations are being accepted by the Pasadena Public Library Foundation to support the ongoing investment required to maintain Central Library as an iconic landmark. If you would like more information about donating to the Pasadena Public Library Foundation, please visit their page: https://pasadenacf.org/funds/pasadena-public-library-foundation/

Central Library took a major step toward reopening during City Council’s regularly scheduled meeting on July 21, 2025, after the Pasadena City Council approved a contract with PCL Construction Services, Inc. to move forward and begin the process of seismically retrofitting and repairing the Pasadena Central Library. To ensure an efficient and collaborative project delivery, the City is utilizing the Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) method. This approach enables early involvement of a qualified construction manager/general contractor during the design phase, improving coordination, mitigating risk, and establishing a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction. The City Council selected PCL Construction Services, Inc. for award of the Phase 1 (preconstruction) and Phase 1A (selective demolition) contract and directed staff to proceed with this initial phase of the project. The entire project is expected to be completed in 2028.

Project Timeline:

• Fall 2023 - 30% (Schematic) Plans and Cost Estimate
• Spring 2024 - 60% (Design Development) Plans and Cost Estimate
• November 5, 2024 -- General Election Ballot Measure PL
• Spring 2025 - 100% (Construction Document) Plans, Cost Estimate, and Plan Check
• Summer 2025 - Bid and Construction Contract Award
• 2028 - Building Re-opens

The Central Library will be 100 years old on Feb. 12, 2027.

CENTRAL LIBRARY SEISMIC RETROFIT AND RENOVATIONS (71922)

Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) with GMP Contract

The CMAR RFP for the Central Library Seismic Retrofit and Renovations project and any issued addenda was made available to be downloaded, free of charge, from the following website: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pasadena.

It was the Proposer’s responsibility to periodically check the website for addenda or other updates to the Request for Proposal.

Considering input from the Library’s stakeholders, the Gruen design team, and the community through various community outreach events and surveys, the project’s goals and objectives were established. These goals and objectives were then utilized in the development and evaluation of numerous earthquake retrofit schemes. The goals and objectives are as follows:

• EARTHQUAKE – Improve seismic performance to allow the building to have greater resilience to earthquakes.
• LIFE SAFETY – Take reasonable measures to assure that building occupants will be able to exit the building safely during an earthquake.
• HISTORIC – Preserve the building’s historic fabric, its character defining features, and its historic listings.\
• ACCESSIBILITY – Adopt universal access principles to accommodate different levels of ability and mobility.
• FUNCTION – Enhance performance and flexibility of the spaces to accommodate the needs of library patrons and staff.
• UPGRADE – Replace or update outdated technology and critical building systems.

Public Outreach and Commission Meetings

The following is a list of community outreach events hosted by City staff and the design team to provide project updates and address inquiries:

• September 25, 2024 -- District 5 Townhall Meeting -- @ Washington Park
  • Design Development Progress Update
• Mar. 13, 2024 -- Community Meeting -- @ La Pintoresca Branch Library
  • Community Town Hall Meeting Presentation
  • Watch (Video): Pasadena Media Recording of Community Town Hall Meeting
• Dec. 13, 2023 -- Community Town Hall Meeting -- @ Pasadena High School
  • Community Town Hall Meeting Presentation
  • Watch (Video): Pasadena Media Recording of Community Town Hall Meeting
  • Share your opinion: https://bit.ly/3tlAxbV
• Sept. 21, 2023 -- Community Town Hall Meeting -- @ Robinson Park Recreation Center
  • Community Town Hall Meeting Presentation
  • Watch (Video): Pasadena Media Recording of Community Town Hall Meeting
• Aug. 1, 2023 – National Night Out Pop-Up –@ Civic Center
• July 15, 2023 – Colorado Street Bridge Party Pop-Up
• July 8, 2023 – Farmers’ Market Pop-Up Event – @ Victory Park
• May 31, 2023 – West Pasadena Residents’ Association Annual Meeting –@ Maranatha High School
• May 24, 2023 – Community Outreach Meeting –@ Jefferson School
  • Gruen Associates Presentation
  • Watch (Video): Pasadena Media Recording of Community Town Hall Meeting

The Central Library is an important City institution that delivers on equity to City residents. The Central Library has been home to a wide variety of programs and services for almost 100 years. Annually, 30,000-40,000 community members attend storytimes, author visits, cultural events, Art Night, recitals, plays, and many other programs.

Constructed in 1927, the Pasadena Central Library, designed by Myron Hunt and H.C. Chambers, was the first building completed in Pasadena’s Civic Center Plan. The Pasadena City Hall and Civic Auditorium comprise the early Civic Center. Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, the original building is comprised of two stories above grade and a basement story below grade and is approximately 120,000 square feet. The building was expanded in the mid-1960s to include a children’s story room and two reference wings, and a historically sensitive interior restoration was undertaken in the late 1980s. Although several improvements and repairs have been made to the library over the decades, many of the building’s existing systems and components are original to the 1927 construction.

In the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic closure, the Pasadena Central Library hosted 232 group events and 876 community and organization meetings. The City demonstrated continuously its commitment to ensure Pasadena children and youth have the resources they need to succeed in school as evidenced by the fact that close to nine-in-ten residents surveyed agree that Pasadena's libraries play a critical role in educating our community's children and youth. The same number see the Central Library as a community asset, a major part of the city's history, and an important architectural building.

Central Library Status Update 2022

Central Library Status Update 2023

The following services and resources remain available:

• Branch libraries are open for in-person service.
• Librarians are available to provide assistance at branch libraries in person or by phone, or  through our web-based service, Ask Us!  (at  https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/questions-help/).
• eMedia are  available 24/7 including e-books and audiobooks; streaming TV, movie and music services; classes and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines.
  • eBooks, eAudiobooks and digital/streaming media can be found at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/ebooks-and-audiobooks/
  • Research databases, educational resources, subject guides and more are available at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/research/
• Programs and Events: Visit our online calendar of events to find programs and events you can attend, either at the library or from home.
• While some materials held at Central Library are currently unavailable, most items have been relocated to branch locations and to offsite storage, and are available for holds and pickup at your most convenient branch library location.
• The Jefferson Branch Library Children and Teen Services offers programs, materials and services for children, teens and their families. See address, hours, and contact information at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/branches/jefferson-branch-childrens-and-teen-services/
• Law Room databases provided through a partnership with LA Law Library, are currently available to use at Hastings Branch Library
• Books, audiobooks, DVDs, and other circulating materials have been distributed to branch locations and are available.
• Off-Site: Remaining materials at Central Library have been transferred to off-site storage, which will make them available for checkout. These materials are visible in the catalog with a location of "Off-Site Storage" and holds can be placed for pickup at a branch library. Reference materials will, upon request, be available to use inside a branch Library building
• Innovation Lab: Some equipment and programs are available at branch locations, or for checkout (sewing machines).
  • For workshops and programs using Innovation Lab equipment, please visit our events calendar
  • See the descriptions in the section below on available Innovation Lab equipment. Appointments can be made for use of available equipment:
  • Equipment for use by appointment at Jefferson Branch Library only
  • Request an appointment (complete and submit this form)
  • All applicable policies and limits to use of Innovation Lab equipment apply while equipment is at branch libraries.
• STEAM kits, board games, video games and other circulating collections are relocated to and currently available at branch libraries.
• Pasadena Local History Research: Staff can in many cases assist with Pasadena history research and questions, please submit requests for research or enquire about local history materials at https://cityofpasadena.libanswers.com/ or call a branch library to make a request. Centennial Room materials are in storage and staff are available by appointment for assistance with research.
• Technology: All branch locations offer public Internet computers for use (one session of up to one hour per user per day) with a Pasadena Public Library card, as well as circulating chromebooks and hotspots. Find out more at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/technology/
• Visit our FAQ  for more information.

You can stay updated on the library by visiting our website and following our social media accounts @pasadenalibrary.