Politics & Government

Library Could Get New Home, Thanks To Mysterious Donor

The Larkspur City Council is considering a $5 million offer to build a new library on part of the former Niven Nursery site.

 

Outspoken residents had one thing to say to the Larkspur City Council: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

An anonymous donor has offered to give the City $4 million, plus an additional $1 million in matching funds, but there is a catch. The money would be earmarked to build a new public library on a section of the former Niven Nursery property on Doherty Drive.

New Home Company, which purchased the 16.8-acre parcel in 2011, agreed to transfer 2.43 acres back to the City for use as a park.

"The council has an opportunity to give the City a treasure for years to come. Our library will mark its centennial year soon. We need a suitable working area and adequate facilities for the staff and the families who use the library," said MaryAnne Rafter.

Other residents have proposed building a community center or a children's playground on the proposed site.

Larkspur Councilman Dan Hillmer is hoping for greater input from the community. "There was a vision for this to be a community center. I think once we get all the stakeholders involved, this will become a much richer issue. All that has to come into the room."

The property had been called a blight, with greenhouses hit by vandals and overgrown bushes that long dominated the land, has been cleared as part of the first phase of the project to create a 85-unit housing project. The plans call for a mix of single-family homes, senior housing and cottage-style homes.

"The (demolition phase) is nearing completion… All the structures have been removed. We just have to make sure the site is clean and ready for the next phase," said Brian Olin, senior vice-president for New Home Co. The next phase, in which the ground will be prepared for construction, is expected to start in April.

"Our goal is to be at a place at the end of this year to start our model complex. We'll sell homes from that model," Olin said.

Olin said locals can expect to see new streets and utility lines being installed by the end of 2013.


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