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Community Context & Planning
<br />Describe the proximity of the proposed site to other facilities and areas of the community, and how that proximity enhances the
<br />use of the library by the residents in the library service area. Describe the appropriateness of the proposed site including
<br />whether the proposed library project will contribute to the establishment, redevelopment, or revitalization of a community or
<br />downtown core, business district, or neighbofiood. Describe how the proposed library is connected to other uses, including
<br />public use facilities, by a full range of transportation and pedestrian options.
<br />The Manor Community Branch Library is centrally-located in the Washington Manor neighborhood, at a commerical and
<br />residential crossroads for the area. The new facility will be readily accessible by foot, by car, or by public transportation.
<br />The Marina Community Genter is within a mile of the library. General interest educational and recreational programs at
<br />the Community Center complement the proposed programming at the Manor Branch, including a family literacy program,
<br />homework center, and computer "eLeaming" center in partnership with the San Lorenzo and San Leandro Unified School
<br />Districts. The proximity of these two civic gathering places, with the addition of a multipurpose program room at the branch
<br />library, will help to revitalize the area as a neighborhood center of activity.
<br />The Manor/Farnsworth intersection is also the location of previous and proposed economic development efforts in the
<br />area. The Washington Manor Shopping Center consists of three corner commercial areas. Small retail businesses provide for
<br />daily living needs of the neighborhood, including groceries, sundries, and dining. Recognizing the Center as a key shopping
<br />area, the City of San Leandro has invested $250,000 in lighting, landscaping, intersection improvements, and shopping center
<br />signs. The City is partnering with local businesses to invest another $500,000 in improved store facades, parking lots, exterior
<br />painting, and possibly additional lighting and landscaping, Common design elements and color schemes in these improvements
<br />will visually connect the shopping areas. The Manor Community Branch Library is envisioned as a fourth anchor in this
<br />neighborhood improvement project. Street lighting and design elements will extend down the block to "tie in" the library with the
<br />corner shopping area. This will increase the ability of local residents to combine shopping, running errands, and accomplishing
<br />other daily living activities in the shopping area with library patronage.
<br />Site Selection Process
<br />Describe the site selection process including community and planning department involvement, consultant assistance, as well as
<br />any other pertinent activities associated with determining the best site for the library project.
<br />The San Leandro Public Library engaged in a six month community-based planning project with the assistance of Group
<br />4 Architecture, Research and Planning. The Library sought input from nearly 200 library patrons, staff, students, school
<br />personnel, residents, and community leaders. This extensive public outreach process included patron surveys, focus groups,
<br />public workshops, face-to-face interviews, and mapping analysis of library use patterns throughout the library system. One
<br />hundred percent of survey respondents who use the Manor Branch agreed that the library is in a good location. The methodology
<br />for these activities is described in detail in the attached Needs Assessment.
<br />The site selection process also included review by the Library Historical Commission of all library branches and their
<br />proposed sites. The City selected several sites as potential branch locations based on availability of land and access in the
<br />neighborhood. The Commission rated potential sites based on eight criteria, including site capacity, location, visibility,
<br />costlavailability, partnerships, aesthetics, community perception/interest, and library service goals. The Commission's
<br />independent evaluation confirmed community sentiment that the Manor Community Branch Library is well-located and that the
<br />best option is to expand the current library site.
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