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New Lakewood Branch Library Approved for North Sunnyvale

A new branch library and learning center is coming to the Lakewood neighborhood and will serve as a primary resource for literacy, learning and wellness activities for residents of north Sunnyvale.

The 20,000-square foot facility will be located on approximately 2.15 acres of the Lakewood Elementary School property on the site of the unused and closed Lakewood Pool.

The City of Sunnyvale, Sunnyvale School District (SSD), and Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) partnered on the plans and cost sharing for the new facility.

All three agencies have now approved the agreement, the key terms of which include:

  • The City will lease the site from SSD for 50 years with an option of an additional 25 years for total cost of $1 over the term of the lease
  • Each school district will contribute $3 million towards construction
  • The City will be responsible for the design, bidding and construction management
  • SSD will contribute 10% and FUHSD will contribute 15% of ongoing operations, staffing and maintenance costs
  • A joint task force, similar to the City’s current arrangement at the Columbia Neighborhood Center, will provide oversight and guidance to operations

The project is scheduled to begin in spring 2020 with a design phase and community input opportunities. The Lakewood Branch Library and Learning Center is planned to open in early 2024. The current estimate for design and construction is approximately $28.3 million.

Project background: https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/business/projects/library.htm

Quotes: SSD Superintendent Benjamin Picard “The City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale School District have many partnerships that serve the residents of Sunnyvale. For almost 25 years the Columbia Neighborhood Center has been exemplified as a community service model for other cities and school districts across California. Now we are leveraging and expanding off of the Columbia Neighborhood Center’s success by partnering to develop the Lakewood Branch Library and Learning Center, which will provide greater access, support, and enrichment opportunities for youth and families of north Sunnyvale. It is through these partnerships that enable us to better serve the residents of Sunnyvale.”

FUHSD Superintendent Polly Bove “Ensuring that every single student we serve has access to a library is critical, and we believe that the Lakewood Branch Library and Learning Center will be an enormous asset to the entire Sunnyvale community. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to collaborate with our school district and city partners on important projects that will impact our students and residents in powerful ways.”

Sunnyvale City Manager Kent Steffens “With this agreement, we have demonstrated how collaboration and a shared vision can greatly expand what’s possible. We’re now looking forward to working with our community and school district partners to design and program this new facility and improve access to services in north Sunnyvale.”

aerial view of lakewood branch library site

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