Design plans for relocated Elk Grove Library to be approved this week

Design plans for the relocated Elk Grove Library will be approved this week by the Elk Grove City Council. Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her four councilmen will give their stamp of approval at this Wednesday’s city council meeting.

According to the staff report from the city’s innovation czar, Christopher Jordan, numerous modifications will be made to the former Rite Aid drug store located on the southwest corner of Elk Grove Boulevard and Waterman Road. In 2021, the city purchased the facility for $3 million to relocate the library now located on the southeast corner of Elk Grove Boulevard and Elk Grove-Florin Road.

That current 13,000 sq. ft. two-story library facility has restrictive parking and built-in design flaws that have limited the use of the second floor. That structure was built to specification for a library in 2008.

The new 18,000 sq ft. library will feature many amenities not found in the current library. Among them are a patio, twice as many parking spaces, electric vehicle charging facilities, and landscaping enhancements, including public art.

Although the city council will approve the design proposal, work will be delayed for several months. Starting next month through March 31, 2023, the city has contracted with an outside vendor to operate a temporary homeless shelter.

Jordan’s report says remodeling and equipping the facility will cost $15 million, half of which is from grants. No specific dates for the start or completion of the project are included in the report.

Wednesday’s city council meeting starts at 6 p.m.