Ingleside Branch: Past Community Meetings

The first step in planning the new facility was the search for a possible site. The Library sponsored a meeting at the Ocean View Senior Center on March 28, 2001 to discuss the potential locations for the new library. At this meeting the library presented 8 possible sites. Meeting attendees narrowed the field to four possible locations. On July 10, 2001 there was an informal site status review with the Friends of the Ingleside Branch Library. On August 7, 2001, four sites were presented to the Library Commission for serious consideration, and the commission authorized the City Real Estate Division staff to pursue information on these options. As a result of their investigation the field was narrowed to two locations, the current leased location, 1649 Ocean Avenue and the Sunset Auto, 1298 Ocean Avenue.

A community meeting was held at the library on April 3, 2002. The two site options were reviewed and discussed, including the results of a study reviewing the feasibility of building conversion if the current Bank of America building was purchased. The Library staff informed the attendees that the Sunset Auto site would be recommended to the Library Commission. At the April 18, 2002 Library Commission meeting, the City's Real Estate division was asked to enter into purchase negotiations with the property owner of the Sunset Auto site.

At a community meeting on November 7, 2002, Library staff outlined the upcoming steps for the building of the new Ingleside branch library. They explained how the input from the meeting, along with community surveys and research will result in a Community Needs Assessment and a Library Plan of Service. These reports form the basis for a Building Program, which the architects use to design the new branch. They also announced that the City is negotiating to purchase the Sunset Auto Shop site at 1298 Ocean Avenue at Plymouth.

In addition, a discussion was led designed to find out what services the community would like to see at the new library and the San Francisco Arts Commission presented the public art program.

At a community meeting held January 18, 2003, the Library gave an update on the purchase of the Sunset Auto site and discussed the process for choosing the architect. As part of the architect selection, a Design Competition was held, with community members given the opportunity to vote and comment on the entries.

Also, there was a discussion of the Community Needs Assessment, the proposed Library Building Plan, and efforts being made to formalize the relationship between local schools and the Library.

The San Francisco Arts Commission discussed the public art program for the library and garnered themes and ideas for the new art. Three members of the community were selected to sit on the art selection panel, along with the branch librarian and project architect.