Pasadena City Council Approves Plan to Retrofit and Repair Central Library

The Pasadena City Council approved a plan to seismically retrofit and repair the Pasadena Central Library during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday. The decision marks a significant step towards preserving the city’s history while embracing the future.

The Central Library was closed on May 3, 2021, after a seismic evaluation indicated that the building is an unreinforced masonry (URM) structure and does not meet the minimum structural performance standards in the event of an earthquake.

At the August 21st meeting, City staff presented three earthquake retrofit approaches that were identified by the design team. These approaches were guided by goals and objectives established with input from library stakeholders, including the Mayor’s Technical Oversight Committee and various outreach events and surveys. 

The City Council selected the ‘Concrete Shear Wall’ earthquake retrofit approach and directed staff to proceed with a detailed design of the project.

Construction is projected to commence in Fall 2025 pending funding, with the retrofitting and repair process unfolding in multiple phases. The anticipated re-opening of the Central Library is set for Fall 2028.

Mayor Victor Gordo emphasized the project’s significance, “The Central Library holds a special place in the hearts of Pasadena’s residents, and its retrofit and repair marks a pivotal moment in the city’s history. By fusing historical reverence with forward-thinking engineering and design, the City of Pasadena is steadfastly committed to creating a resilient and inviting Central Library that will stand for another century and beyond.”

Since the Central Library’s closure, a design team made up of experienced engineers, architects, and historic preservation specialists prepared environmental documents and construction drawings for the seismic retrofit and renovation of the Central Library. 

A Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) appointed by the Mayor and a Community Programming Committee appointed by the City Manager were also established to advise the design team in the development of the optimal and least impactful retrofit approach with consideration of the current and future needs of the community. The committees are comprised of community leaders with expertise in a variety of areas including architecture, historic preservation, structural engineering, and library operations. 

To continue to foster community engagement and transparency, a second Community Town Hall is scheduled for September 21, 2023, at the Robinson Park Recreation Center. The event will offer residents an opportunity to gain insights into the recommended seismic retrofit approach and to stay informed about the latest developments in the journey of the nearly centennial Pasadena Central Library.

To learn more about the Pasadena Central Library Retrofit and Repair Project and to view the timeline, please visit www.PasadenaPublicLibrary.net.