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Measuring Measure S

Measuring Measure S

About Measure S


Image provided by 10-Over Studio

The new modern library portion of the project, funded by voter-approved Measure S, will replace the existing downtown library. The project is located in Downtown Santa Cruz at a city-owned surface parking lot (Lot 4), bounded by Cathcart, Cedar and Lincoln Streets. The weekly Downtown Farmers’ Market that is currently located on Wednesdays at the project site will move to a permanent home in Downtown Santa Cruz. 

The City Council Approved Downtown Library & Affordable Housing Project includes these important elements: 

  • A modern library with resources for all

  • A child care facility

  • At least 124 units of very low-income housing

  • Approximately 258 Bicycle Parking Spaces, including varying sizes, bike lockers and e-bike charging

  • 235 parking spaces including 25 level 2 EV charging stations

Project Milestones & Accomplishments:

  • Acquisition of 113 Lincoln Street 

  • Building Permit Application Submitted 

  • Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Award of $33.5M

For more information on the Downtown Library and Affordable Housing Project visit this link.

Most Recent Updates:

11.14. 2024 The Project Team continues to make progress on the Building Permit applications with the Core and Shell team and the Library Architect both in the plan check process, a full project updated can be downloaded here

5.14. 2024 City Council received a project update and took action on adopting a resolution to ratify an Amended and Restated Options to Lease agreement with the Affordable Housing Developers.  Presentation can be found here.  Link to the City Council Meeting here. 

for full details follow the Project Updates link below 

Download the Fact Sheet here and see the Frequently Asked Questions

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On February 11, 2016, the SCPL Facilities Financing Authority placed a $67 million bond measure (later designated Measure S) on the June, 2016 ballot. With 70% approval, voters agreed to fund Measure S.

These Measuring Measure S pages serve as a timeline and a documentation of the planning process and progress at each of the ten branches.

In 2013, the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) engaged in a comprehensive facilities master planning process to assess the needs at each of our branches and concluded that a local source a funding was needed to upgrade and improve local libraries. On February 11, 2016, the SCPL Facilities Financing Authority unanimously voted to place a $67 million bond measure (later designated Measure S) on the June 7, 2016 ballot to address the most urgent needs.

With 70% approval, the voters agreed to fund Measure S, the Library Improvement Bond Measure. As a result, Santa Cruz County property owners are assessed $49.50 per residential parcel or per each unit for multi-family residential, per year, for a 30-year period beginning fiscal year 2016-2017.

In September 2016, the Library began a Strategic Planning process for the next three years.

The resulting Strategic Plan 2017-June 2021 combined with the Facilities Master Plan provides the framework for the first phase of the building/remodeling projects. All ten branch projects must be completed by the end of 2025.

These Measuring Measure S pages serve as a timeline and a documentation of the planning process and progress at each of the ten branches. Links to all supporting documents can be found here; calendars and records of meetings, decisions, and progress reports related to Measure S are included.

About Measure S


Image provided by 10-Over Studio

The new modern library portion of the project, funded by voter-approved Measure S, will replace the existing downtown library. The project is located in Downtown Santa Cruz at a city-owned surface parking lot (Lot 4), bounded by Cathcart, Cedar and Lincoln Streets. The weekly Downtown Farmers’ Market that is currently located on Wednesdays at the project site will move to a permanent home in Downtown Santa Cruz. 

The City Council Approved Downtown Library & Affordable Housing Project includes these important elements: 

  • A modern library with resources for all

  • A child care facility

  • At least 124 units of very low-income housing

  • Approximately 258 Bicycle Parking Spaces, including varying sizes, bike lockers and e-bike charging

  • 235 parking spaces including 25 level 2 EV charging stations

Project Milestones & Accomplishments:

  • Acquisition of 113 Lincoln Street 

  • Building Permit Application Submitted 

  • Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Award of $33.5M

For more information on the Downtown Library and Affordable Housing Project visit this link.

Most Recent Updates:

11.14. 2024 The Project Team continues to make progress on the Building Permit applications with the Core and Shell team and the Library Architect both in the plan check process, a full project updated can be downloaded here

5.14. 2024 City Council received a project update and took action on adopting a resolution to ratify an Amended and Restated Options to Lease agreement with the Affordable Housing Developers.  Presentation can be found here.  Link to the City Council Meeting here. 

for full details follow the Project Updates link below 

Download the Fact Sheet here and see the Frequently Asked Questions

-------------------------

On February 11, 2016, the SCPL Facilities Financing Authority placed a $67 million bond measure (later designated Measure S) on the June, 2016 ballot. With 70% approval, voters agreed to fund Measure S.

These Measuring Measure S pages serve as a timeline and a documentation of the planning process and progress at each of the ten branches.

In 2013, the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) engaged in a comprehensive facilities master planning process to assess the needs at each of our branches and concluded that a local source a funding was needed to upgrade and improve local libraries. On February 11, 2016, the SCPL Facilities Financing Authority unanimously voted to place a $67 million bond measure (later designated Measure S) on the June 7, 2016 ballot to address the most urgent needs.

With 70% approval, the voters agreed to fund Measure S, the Library Improvement Bond Measure. As a result, Santa Cruz County property owners are assessed $49.50 per residential parcel or per each unit for multi-family residential, per year, for a 30-year period beginning fiscal year 2016-2017.

In September 2016, the Library began a Strategic Planning process for the next three years.

The resulting Strategic Plan 2017-June 2021 combined with the Facilities Master Plan provides the framework for the first phase of the building/remodeling projects. All ten branch projects must be completed by the end of 2025.

These Measuring Measure S pages serve as a timeline and a documentation of the planning process and progress at each of the ten branches. Links to all supporting documents can be found here; calendars and records of meetings, decisions, and progress reports related to Measure S are included.