We’re pleased to share some exciting updates with you in this month’s TCF newsletter!
July 2023 Project Updates
Last May the City of Larkspur sent out its Request for Qualifications for Prospective Design-Build Entities for the Larkspur Library and Community Space Project and received the following nine responses (listed as contractor/architect):
- BN Builders/Roesling Nakamura Terada
- Wright Contracting/COAR Design Group
- Truebeck Construction/WRNS Studio
- Bogard Construction/Jayson Architecture
- Midstate Construction/Siegel & Strain
- Alten Construction/Noll & Tam Architects
- Build Group/RMW
- Plant Construction/EHDD
- C Overra & Co./ELS
The city anticipates completing a review of the nine responses by mid-August and will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design/construction of the project to the three top-scoring teams.
A public process will be held before the City Council awards the contract in mid-to-late November.
Design and project development is anticipated to take six to nine months followed by 18 months of construction.
New TCF website is live!
We are pleased to share that our new TCF website is live. In addition to a fresh look, the new site is designed to make it easy to navigate and find information. We invite you to have a look and continue to follow our journey! You can view it here: www.thecommonsatlarkspur.org. Drop us a note and let us know what you think!
4th of July Parade
It was a glorious summer day for the Larkspur/Corte Madera 4th of July Parade. Once again, beloved library mascot Larky led the way, promoting community-wide support for The Commons Foundation to fund and build the new Larkspur Library and surrounding outdoor gathering spaces and gardens!
Interview with City Manager Dan Schwarz
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with City Manager Dan Schwarz about the impact of our new Larkspur library at The Commons, and the value of libraries in general.
TCF: How will the new 21st-century library benefit our local communities?
City Manager Schwarz: Modern libraries offer the community an inviting, enriching environment with a healthy mix of materials, connectivity, and programs. As much as we all love the current library, its constraints are particularly limiting for those with mobility challenges and for offering programs without disrupting the rest of the library. We are excited that we will be able to provide new amenities to the community in an accessible facility that caters to all ages.
TCF: We just kicked off our Landscaping Campaign. How do you envision the outdoor landscape to be inviting to families, seniors, students, and adults?
City Manager Schwarz: We are developing a design for the outdoor areas surrounding the library that encourages visitors to move between the indoor and outdoor spaces. The city conducted visioning workshops several years ago and we heard loud and clear that residents expect outdoor spaces to embrace Marin’s many natural treasures. Our vision is that our outdoor areas will be equally inviting to those wishing to read quietly, attend an outdoor program, or simply take in the wonderful view of Mt. Tam. It will also include one thing currently missing — stroller parking!
TCF: Damon Hill is Larkspur’s new library director. How will his experience benefit the community?
City Manager Schwarz: Many patrons show us what is happening at other Marin libraries and want the same opportunities at the Larkspur Library. Damon brings decades of experience in the public library system spearheading projects to make libraries more modern and accessible, including outdoor spaces. We are thrilled he will bring this experience and relationships to expand our programming at the new library.
TCF: The Larkspur Library has a wonderful relationship with local schools. How will the new library extend its services to students?
City Manager Schwarz: Patrons should prepare for a much busier library from 3-5 pm on school days. We know that middle schoolers tend to be active library patrons when the library is easy to access, so we expect that with the new location. The Commons will be a go-to after school place for Hall Middle School students. Making the library welcoming to all students in the area is a key objective for the new library.
TCF: Do you have a book recommendation for us?
City Manager Schwarz: The book I most enjoyed recently is Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. It is a science fiction novel that simultaneously follows people from a dying Earth trying to find a new planet to call home, while also documenting the evolution of life on a planet that scientists used as an incubator for some of the life from Earth. Like a lot of books in the genre, the story asks questions about what it means to be “human.” It is the first book in a trilogy, and I definitely plan to read the other two novels in the series.
Read more about our City Manager here: https://www.ci.larkspur.ca.us/86/City-Manager
Join the Landscaping Campaign
We are working to ensure the community has inviting and attractive outdoor spaces surrounding the new library so that patrons can read a book, gather with friends, engage in a study program, or simply enjoy the beauty and the view of Mt. Tam. We need your support!
To donate to the new landscaping campaign, please visit our new website: www.thecommonsatlarkspur.org.
Thank you,
Ann Morrison
President, The Commons Foundation