Historic Preservation Commission to Hear Detailed Review of Central Library Retrofit Project

A comprehensive presentation on the Central Library Earthquake Retrofit & Restoration Project will be featured at the Historic Preservation Commission’s regular public meeting on Tuesday, July 18 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the George Ellery Hale Building in the Hearing Room, located at 175 North Garfield Ave. 

The presentation, prepared by a team of design and engineering professionals engaged by the City of Pasadena Department of Public Works, will provide a thorough background of the project. 

The Commission will have the opportunity to review and discuss the team’s investigations of the existing Central Library building and their study of potential seismic retrofit schemes.

The project team has been working closely with a Technical Oversight Committee and a Programming Committee. 

The Programming Committee has developed the report, “Recommendations for Central Library Programming,” which will be presented during the meeting. The specifics of the full project scope and design have not yet been finalized.

In accordance with the Pasadena Municipal Code, public projects in the Central District, such as the Central Library Earthquake Retrofit & Restoration Project, require design review by the Director of Planning for minor projects or by the Design Commission (DC) with advisory review by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) for major projects. Despite interior features typically not being subject to design review, certain City-owned buildings, including the Central Library, fall under the purview of design review.

Given the significance of the Central Library as a historic structure, the project team deemed it appropriate to provide an informational presentation to both the HPC and DC before the City Council’s review and approval of the earthquake retrofit approaches. This review and approval are anticipated to take place in August 2023.

Following the Historic Preservation Commission’s review, the project team will proceed with developing the schematic design of the Central Library Earthquake Retrofit & Restoration Project. They will then return to the Commission for further review and support if required by the Zoning Code, based on the design and scope of the project.

The Central Library Earthquake Retrofit & Restoration Project aims to improve the building’s seismic performance, ensure life safety for occupants during earthquakes, preserve its historic fabric and character-defining features, adopt universal access principles, provide public benefit, mitigate potential schedule delays, enhance functional spaces, and allow for future flexibility and technological upgrades.

The Historic Preservation Commission’s review and advisory role in this meeting will contribute to the project’s progression and eventual re-opening of the Central Library, benefitting library staff and patrons alike.