What Is Larkspur's Future?

Joan Lundstrom's soft voice always echoed loudly in Larkspur City Hall during her tenure on the City Council.

She returned to City Hall on Wednesday, this time to address the Council as a concerned resident.

Lundstrom, who retired from the City Council at the end of last year, was back to lend her support for the construction of a new library on a parcel of land that is expected to be donated to the City of Larkspur by the New Home Company.

"Personally, I favor a library / community room facility, a joint use. I think we have to think differently about public buildings that they cannot necessarily be a singular use," Lundstrom said. "A joint use community room facility/library which could be managed by the Parks and Recreation Commission to serve dual needs of the community and also have space for our Heritage Committee.

"I think we have to rethink what a building of this kind is like. It won't be a single use."

If you have some thoughts or questions about the future of the parcel of land, the City Council wants to hear from you. There will be a second public discussion Monday, May 7, from 4-6 p.m. at City Hall. The matter will be back on the agenda at the May 16 City Council meeting.

A deal with the City asks that the parcel be donated to Larkspur in a construction-ready condition, according to city officials.

Lundstrom, along with several other residents Wednesday, pushed the Council to consider making the parcel the home of a new library. Lundstrom suggested the new building should serve more than one purpose, perhaps combining a library and community center.

The nearly 100-year old City Hall needs to be retrofitted to bring it up to state safety standards and both City Hall offices and the library would have to be moved during any construction. So, why not have a new home waiting for the library?

"There are two separate issues as people have pointed out: How do you define a facility that's appropriate for this site," Lundstrom said, "and then taking a look at the capital needs totally of our 100-year old city and actually we're sitting in a building that will celebrate its centennial next year.

"This is a tremendous opportunity of what to do with this parcel of land."

Part of the 2.53-acre parcel can be developed for a library, recreation center or other building, while the rest is expected to be used for park or open space. The parcel neighbors Hall Middle School, Piper Park, Redwood High School and the downtown shopping center and is within easy walking distance of downtown Magnolia Avenue.

A donor has reportedly stepped up to offer nearly $5 million to help Larkspur build a new library. City manager Dan Schwarz estimates that the project would probably cost around $10 million total.

Still, others wondered if Larkspur would be better off spending its money on road repair.

Ed Tischbern of Diane Lane compared Larkspur favorably to other cities around the world.

"Larkspur is this beautiful town. What's missing is … a center where Larkspur all comes together as pedestrian anchor," Tischbern said. "Every great town has a beautiful juxtaposition of indoor spaces and outdoor spaces. That open space here should be a civic plaza."

Tischbern noted that a plaza could help reduce automobile traffic by connecting to the neighboring shopping center.

So, what do you think? Send your thoughts to City Hall, or come to the meeting Monday, May 7 at 4 p.m., or the City Council meeting on May 16 at 6:30 p.m.