Artist’s rendering of East Oakland Community Library
July 2010 Update: Oakland Public Library Forced to Delay
Opening of New Branch, as Contractor Files for Bankruptcy
As a new branch of the Oakland Public Library neared completion, the construction firm contracted to build the library filed for bankruptcy. The new branch, at 81st Ave. in East Oakland, was slated to open summer 2010, but that date will now be pushed back.
Library Administration learned on July 8, 2010, that the firm hired to build the East Oakland/81st Avenue Branch Library, NBC General Contractors Corporation, filed for bankruptcy on that date. Construction, which began in July 2008, is approximately 95% complete. Work has temporarily ceased at the construction site.
When it hired the firm two years ago, the City required NBC to post a performance and payment bond, a form of insurance, to protect the City’s interests. The City is currently taking the necessary steps to require NBC’s insurance company to step in and complete the project. At this time, the City cannot predict when construction will resume and when the new library will open to the public.
The Library and other City Departments will continue to focus on the goal to open an excellent library facility for two elementary schools and the East Oakland Community as soon as possible.
January 2010 Update: New Construction Site Photos
Click the thumbnails below to view the latest images from the construction site.
Click the thumbnails below to view the latest images from the construction site.
Fall 2008 Update: Construction Has Begun!
After a slight delay, construction began this past summer on the $14.3 million East Oakland Community Library, a joint Oakland Public Schools/Oakland Public Library project! Workers for NBC General Contractors have dug the trenches, installed rebar, and are working on pouring the footings for the library’s foundation. The Oakland Public Library will soon be installing a Web video camera to keep our community updated on how construction is proceeding on this exciting endeavor.
Our Oakland: Eastside Stories is an integrated public art project by artist Rene Yung that will beautify the new East Oakland Community Library and create an online archive of stories told by East Oakland residents about their community. Our Oakland is a citywide collaboration between the people of Oakland, the Oakland Public Library, Oakland Public Art Program, and community partners.
Click the play button to watch a video taking you on a virtual walkthrough of the East Oakland Community Library.
Live Video of the 81st. Ave. Construction Site
View live video from the 81st. Ave. construction site through our two on-site cameras:
Camera 1
Camera 2
Note: Some users have experienced difficulty viewing these video feeds using Internet Explorer. If you are having problems viewing, consider using the Mozilla Firefox web browser instead.
Hundreds Break Ground for New East Oakland Community Library
Nearly 250 city and state officials, community members, and students attended the groundbreaking ceremony on May 30, 2008 for the new East Oakland Community Library. Library Director Carmen Martínez welcomed the crowd and introduced Mayor Ron Dellums, City Administrator Deborah Edgerly, Councilman Larry Reid, and others who described how libraries open a world of possibilities for their neighborhoods. Several student representatives from the nearby ACORN Woodland Elementary School and EnCompass Academy also spoke.
A state-of-the-art 21,000 square foot public library is coming to an East Oakland neighborhood and will be sharing a campus with two new small public elementary schools.
In 2004, the Oakland Public Library received $6.5 million in funding from the California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2000 (Propositions 14) to build a brand new community library in East Oakland. The plan would locate the new library on the same campus as two of Oakland’s New Small Autonomous Schools – EnCompass Academy and Acorn Woodland School.
In recognition of the importance of the East Oakland Community Library project to the growth and sustainability of a fragile neighborhood, the Oakland Redevelopment Agency agreed to match the Proposition 14 funding with $3.5 million in local redevelopment funds.
Locating the community library on the school campuses will mark a new level of cooperation between the Oakland Public Library and the Oakland Unified School District. The shared-use facility means construction and operational cost-savings for both the library and the school district, while bringing coordinated resources to the entire community.
The Oakland Unified School District has committed the land and a total of $497,065 for site development and construction of the common use areas.
Foundations, individuals and businesses have donated $3 million for new furniture, fixtures, equipment and books for the new library. For information on the East Oakland Branch Library campaign, contact Winifred Walters, the library’s Grant & Development Manager, at wwalters@oaklandlibrary.org
Quick Facts
Location: 81 st Avenue and Rudsdale Street Total Project Cost: $14.3 million New Construction Commencement Date: Summer 2008 Projected Completion and Move-In Date: Summer 2010 – Delayed as of July 8, 2010 Square Footage: 21,000 square feet US Green Building Council Certification Target: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Rating Architect: Group4 Architecture, Research and Planning Current Funders, $25,000+ (as of 6/30/2010): State of California (Proposition 14), Oakland Redevelopment Agency, Oakland Unified School District, Anonymous (3), Alameda County Waste Management Authority/StopWaste.Org, S. H. Cowell Foundation, Crescent Porter Hale Foundation, David B. Gold Foundation, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Foundation, Friends of the Oakland Public Library, HEDCO Foundation, J. M. Long Foundation, Koret Foundation, Irene S. Scully Family Foundation, Morris Stulsaft Foundation, Shrader Family Trusts, Stocker Foundation, Thomas J. Long Foundation, Y&H Soda Foundation
Special Features
Storytime & Family Reading Alcove
Children’s Multi-Purpose Room
Teen Services Area with Stepped Seating for Teens
Preschool & Family Areas
Adult (Quiet) Reading Room
Internet Café
Copy Center
Community Meeting Room
Library Classroom
Technology:
Computer Lab
62 Computers
Cabling & communications media in classroom/community meeting rooms
