Palm Springs, Coachella win millions in state grants for library renovations
Both Palm Springs and Coachella have been awarded millions in grants from the California State Library to upgrade and renovate libraries.
Palm Springs received $6.6 million, while Coachella received $4.6 million. The grants must be matched by the two cities, although the program allows cities to ask for the amount they need to match to be reduced.
In total, the state's Building Forward program is awarding $254 million in grants to 234 libraries. The program gives priority to libraries in high-poverty areas and buildings with "critical maintenance needs."
The maximum award was $10 million, though some projects received as little as $14,300.
Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez said the city's money will be used to renovate the old library on 7th Street and turn it into a multimedia community learning space. A new Coachella Library on 6th Street opened in 2018, part of the Riverside County library system.
Palm Springs will use the money for extensive repairs to its 47-year-old library, including seismic retrofitting and replacing the roof, security alarms, fire sprinklers and air filtration system. It will also replace water lines and plumbing.
“This $6.5 million will go along way in helping the Library improve services and access to the community,” Jeannie Kays, the city’s director of library services, said in a statement.
In its current five-year capital improvements plan, the city estimates library renovations will cost about $14 million. Palm Springs is considering setting aside that much money itself, but the plan says the city could use the state funds for additional library upgrades.
A schedule included in the plan has the city designing many of the new systems over the next year and putting the project out to bid next summer. Construction would take about two years and completed by the end of 2025.
Last year, the Coachella City Council agreed to lease the city's old library, which was built in 1981, to College of the Desert through Oct. 31 of this year. The college paid only $1, but agreed to make up to $80,000 in repairs to the 3,000-square-foot building, including new flooring and restroom upgrades.
COD has used the building to offer academic, career and personal counseling services in English and Spanish; assistance with college admission applications; general financial aid support; computer access; and a food pantry.
Desert Sun staff writer Eliana Perez contributed to this report. Reach her at eliana.perez@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ElianaPress.
Paul Albani-Burgio covers breaking news and the City of Palm Springs. Follow him on Twitter @albaniburgiop and via email at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs, Coachella get millions for library renovations
