City Advances Central Library Seismic Retrofit, Storm Drain Repairs

Construction crews have completed a major demolition phase of Pasadena’s Central Library seismic retrofit project and have begun installing the structural foundation that will support the historic building’s earthquake upgrades, city officials announced.

According to Tim McDonald, the city’s director of Libraries and Information Services, demolition work in the library basement has been completed, allowing crews to begin one of the most significant phases of the project — constructing new concrete footings designed to strengthen the building from the ground up.

Work began in the western portion of the basement, where the most extensive structural improvements were needed, and has now progressed east. Since June, contractors have poured new concrete footings on a weekly basis.

The work follows a detailed construction sequence. Crews first remove existing concrete and brick before excavating trenches for the new footings. Steel reinforcing cages are installed and inspected by the city before concrete is poured. Additional layers of reinforced shotcrete, compacted soil and a new concrete slab will ultimately support new structural walls designed to improve the building’s seismic performance.

The basement work is expected to continue for several months before construction moves upward into later phases of the retrofit.

The Central Library Earthquake Retrofit and Renovation Project is intended to preserve the historic building while bringing it up to modern seismic standards.

Meanwhile, the city’s Department of Public Works has begun construction on its Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Storm Drain System Repair and Improvements Program.

The project includes repairs at 12 priority locations identified through Pasadena’s Storm Drain Master Plan and is expected to continue through November.

The work includes replacing deteriorated storm drain pipes, installing cured-in-place pipe liners to extend the life of existing pipelines, restoring missing catch basin inlet screens, repairing damaged catch basins and performing inspections and cleaning throughout the system.

City officials said the annual program is designed to address aging infrastructure before failures occur, reducing the need for more costly emergency repairs while improving the reliability of Pasadena’s stormwater system.

The city’s storm drain network carries runoff during storms and helps reduce flooding throughout the city.

Construction updates for both projects will be posted on the city’s website as work progresses.