Corona del Mar Today: ‘Prairie’ look for the new library-fire station proves popular

More than 50 people attended a community meeting Monday at Sherman Library & Gardens, where they could view three exterior plans for a new combined Corona del Mar fire station and library while mingling with city officials and munching on cheese and crackers.

The options include a “cottage” look, a “prairie” look and a more contemporary design with a flat roof. Most people, including city staff, seemed to prefer the “prairie” look.

The interiors of all three options would be the same: 3,800 square feet of library space and 450 square feet of outdoor reading patio space, while the fire station portion would have living quarters on the second floor and a fire engine equipment garage adjacent to the library, Newport Beach Deputy Public Works Director Mark Vukojevic said.

The new design would also have seven additional parking spaces, he said.

In spring 2014, city staff confirmed that plans were in the works to demolish the existing fire station and library on Marigold Avenue and construct one building to house both.

This March, the Newport Beach City Council approved a contract with an architect, but residents opposed early plans that reduced the new library to 2,500 feet from its current 3,750 feet.

The group Friends of the CdM Library formed and discussed the need for even more — not less — library space. In June, the architect revealed new plans that increased the second-story space for the fire station and added to the library’s first-floor space.

The project has been budgeted for $6 million, but the plan most preferred by many community members could add as much as $1 million to the cost.

The meeting began with a half-hour of social time in the gardens, where people chatted with Newport Beach Fire Chief Scott Poster, Vukojevic, Mayor Ed Selich, Councilman Scott Peotter, Library Services Director Tim Hetherton, Karen Tringali, president of the Corona del Mar Residents Assn., firefighters and library and other city staff.

The audience then had a chance to ask questions. One woman asked whether there was a way to replace the trees on Marigold Avenue, which create a mess but aren’t due for replacement, Vukojevic said. Another man asked if the planners had considered future changes in fire equipment in planning the new building.

Others asked about using decorative pavers in the parking lot and the possibility of solar panels being installed.

Architect Kelley Needham of WLC Architects said the building would be able to accommodate solar panels, but they were an expense that probably wouldn’t be included in the project’s budget.

Friends of the CdM Library founder Joy Brenner praised city staff for listening and taking the public’s suggestions into consideration.

Hetherton said the library board would discuss the latest plans at a meeting at 5 p.m. Monday in the Central Library, at 1000 Avocado Ave. The City Council could consider voting in October on the new plans, including adding funding of up to $1 million on top of the $6 million already approved.

Originally, staff said construction could begin in spring and would take about 14 months.

But on Monday, Vukojevic said construction is likely to begin in summer and take 14 to 16 months. During that time, a temporary fire station could be set up in the OASIS Senior Center’s auxiliary lot, and library services could be handled at the Central Library, OASIS or Grant Howald Park.

Corona del Mar Today appears Sundays in the Daily Pilot. Read daily updates at coronadelmartoday.com.