City of Pasadena Calls for November Election on Library Retrofit Measure

The City Council voted 6-2 to adopt several resolutions that call for a general municipal election to be held in conjunction with the statewide election. 

Councilmembers Jess Rivas and Jason Lyon voted against the motion. 

The City Council also approved language for $195 million in bonds to fund significant upgrades to the 97-year-old Central Library, including seismic retrofitting, roof replacement, and modernization of technology.

The Pasadena Central Library Earthquake Retrofit, Repair, and Upgrade Measure will appear on the ballot for the November 5, general election. 

The City abruptly closed the library building in 2021 due to seismic safety concerns.

The council’s actions followed an earlier directive on July 8 calling on staff to prepare election materials for this bond measure. On July 22, the council approved a resolution of necessity and conducted the first reading of an ordinance related to the measure.

The measure’s approval would require a 55% majority if Proposition 5, also on the November 5 ballot, is passed. Otherwise, it would need a two-thirds majority to pass.

The full text of the ballot measure asks voters if they support issuing $195 million in bonds to:

• Retrofit the library for earthquake safety,
• Meet current fire safety regulations,
• Replace the leaky roof,
• Remove hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead paint,
• Update outdated technology,
• Restore library services.

The measure outlines that the bonds will cost up to $28.90 per $100,000 of assessed property value, generate approximately $12 million annually, and include provisions for independent audits and public spending disclosure.

In addition to calling the election, the Council set priorities for filing written arguments and directed the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of the measure. The resolutions also authorize the filing of rebuttal arguments.

According to the City Manager the bond will have two levels of oversight. A report will be generated to the council annually. If Proposition 5 passes, a citizens oversight commission will be empaneled.  

City officials emphasize that the proposed bond measure is essential to safeguarding the Central Library against seismic risks and ensuring its continued service to the community. If approved by voters, the measure would mark a significant investment in public infrastructure aimed at meeting safety standards and enhancing library facilities for Pasadena residents.

The Central Library is one of the three major buildings in the City’s Civic Center District as part of the Bennett Plan. It was dedicated on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Feb. 12, 1927.

The plan, developed by architect Edward Bennett, placed the City’s most important civic institutions — including the library and City Hall — within an area where streets conclude at the buildings: City Hall to the east, the library to the north, and the Civic Center to the south.