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March 26, 2010· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

Newhall Library Reaction

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

I was pretty upset yesterday about potential delays to the new library in Newhall. Kevin Korenthal, Duane Harte, and someone named BJ hit back hard, with one of them calling me a “tool” of City staffers and accusing the staff of lying.

Did I deserve it? Did the City staff lie about the Newhall Redevelopment Committee’s and the Old Town Newhall Association’s views about the library’s design?

You decide. Here’s my pal Kevin Korenthal in a post on SCVTalk:

I do not recall ever being asked to give my opinion on the facade prior to earlier this year. Upon the first time I saw the facade design I remarked in the open NRC meeting that it reminded me of a ski lodge. A number of NRC committee members shared their discomfort with the design at that time and in subsequent discussions. We were told by staff that the City Council had made their decision on the facade design and that it was final. Though I do not deny that outreach meetings might have been scheduled, NRC members invited and the events might have taken place, I have no no recollection of them.

KK clearly says the NRC was uncomfortable with the design but says the city staff informed him that they Council had already made its decision. That goes along with what I read yesterday from BJ.

But notice KK acknowledges that public outreach meetings on the design of the library were held, a fact I confirmed with Gail Ortiz yesterday who told me that “two community workshops were held to gather input on the library design on August 20 and September 30 of 2008.”

She says invitations to the workshops were sent to “nearly 50 organizations and their representatives along with press releases to the general community.”

Ortiz also notes that “updates and presentations were provided to the Newhall Redevelopment Committee in March 2009, May 2009, July 2009 and October 2009.”

Moreover, the artist’s rendition of the library was released publicly in September. It made the front page of the Signal, and of course, I posted about it here. Shortly thereafter, elevation drawings were released, which I again posted. The current design of the library has been in the public sphere for at least 6 months, maybe longer.

So when I called the people criticizing the design “Johnny Come Latelies,” that’s exactly what it felt like. Why didn’t they make their concerns known last fall? Why wait until a week after ground breaking? If city staff was ignoring their concerns, why didn’t they go to the media?

Why go before the City Council a few weeks before the election?

Duane Harte says they did make their concerns known, and he adds some more perspective:

At the same time the various façades of the library plan were presented to the NRC. We were basically offered 3 or 4 different versions of which none were totally liked so we asked if the architect could tweak the design a bit and come back with something totally acceptable that complemented the streetscape going in and the way we wanted Newhall to appear. This design was brought back to us as fully approved by the library sub-committee. Between the 2 organizations in Newhall there is, I believe 1 person in favor and the rest against this frontal design. It really is only the frontage on Lyons that people are against since that is what will be the main focus from Main Street.

That echoes what BJ said in his comment yesterday and what KK said. The NRC never officially approved the design. BJ further added that “the Redevelopment Committee wanted to be on record for NOT EVER giving their approval to this design,” which would explain why they commented at the City Council.

But I still maintain someone could have brought this up publicly prior to groundbreaking, especially if dissatisfaction with the design is as widely held as some are portraying it to be.

And when the City says it did hold outreach meetings and publicize them, I believe them. Because I read City Press releases religiously, and I am acutely aware of every time someone in the community says “NO ONE TOLD US!!!!1!1!” (cf Decoro Bike Lane stripe, AMGEN Tour of California street closures in 2007).

So what do they want? Today we learn that not only is the design not attractive enough, but some want the building flipped around on its axis so that the front doors face Main Street. And it appears we’re not talking simply about cosmetic changes or the color of the paint either. From KHTS:

The recently unveiled design of the library in downtown Newhall has some local residents and groups upset about its appearance.

The Old Town Newhall Association took their complaints about the proposed design to this week’s City Council meeting, saying the building will look like a “ski lodge,” and didn’t reflect the western theme prevalent in the downtown area.

“We want to make the building look more historic and inviting,” said Suzie Szabo, OTNA manager.

So we’re back to the Old West idea, apparently.

So there you have it. I’m no closer to understanding this now than yesterday. If there’s any failing on my part, it’s in not realizing there was a “Library Subcommittee” that approved the design and not asking the good people of the NRC and OTNA for more background before I posted. If I upset the NRC and OTNA with my post, I’m sorry. I have said time and time again how excited and supportive I am about all the changes in Newhall. Hell, I even have a “SHAMELESS NEWHALL BOOSTERISM” category on this blog.

But at this point I don’t really care who is at fault. Even if the new Newhall library looks like it belongs at the Matterhorn, I still want it. And I don’t want anything to jeopardize its costs or the timeline because in this budget climate, that spells death.

BUILD. THE. DAMN. LIBRARY.

Comments (22)

  1. SCV VoterMarch 26, 2010 at 11:35 am
    So let me get this straight… The City of Los Angeles has been forced to discontinue library service on Sundays due to their budget issues; Communities up & down the state are on the brink of bankruptcy and trying to figure out how to provide critical public safety services and limit how many people they have to lay-off; Cities like Detroit are preparing to tear down 10,000 abandoned/dilapidated homes as their entire community tries to stave off becoming non-existent; But in “our community” the most pressing concern is how the entrance should be orientated and the exterior architecture of a brand-spanking new state-of-the-art library being built by the City (which if I understand correctly doesn’t even actually provide library services as it will be operated by the County who normally is responsible for building these facilities) should look. Really? Wow, I knew people who lived here had a sense of entitlement but this really takes the cake. How small our “big issues” must look to communities with real problems.
  2. Jeff JMarch 26, 2010 at 12:04 pm
    Nice post, I agree. No money should be wasted re-designing it, none IMO.
  3. cashMarch 26, 2010 at 11:49 am
    The DeLorean is a good fit and a sound representation of the value the Library will bring to OTN! Another line of cocaine will make it all better, until we wake up broke!
  4. TimBen BoydstonMarch 26, 2010 at 12:08 pm
    The NRC was clear that they did not want this design. Staff and Councilmembers ignored their advice. OTNA did not want this design, we were strung along for months as to how and when we could give our opinion to the decision makers. OTNA was ignored. Councilmembers were told. The City moved forward anyway, until now it is “too late”. This building is supposed to be a focal point to the Old Town Newhall. You should look up the street and see a building that looks like it is the anchor. Until we saw very finished renderings, we thought the building would resemble something like the one sketched in the 1.2 million dollar plan authored by the people who brought you Old Town Pasedena. As to the outreach meetings, it is one thing to have a meeting and let people talk, and quite another to actually listen to them, and then bring back a consenses to the people and ask them; well what do you think? Part B is missing. Once again the City pretends to listen. Let’s follow Councilmember Kellar’s lead on this and re-design this as a crown jewel of Old Town. As a member of OTNA, I look forward to seeing the new sketches. When elected to the Council, I pledge to listen to the advising bodies.
  5. MattMarch 26, 2010 at 12:20 pm
    I don’t believe comparing this city to the City of Los Angeles is a valid argument against building a library. The City of Los Angeles went down the old crapper years ago. That said, it sounds like city staff attempted to ignore the NRC and OTNA with staff’s own sub-committee’s approval, an approval that was incorrectly submitted as supported by the NRC and OTNA, which it did not and this is why the NRC and OTNA went to City Council. My head is spinning, but I think all this says the NRC is a good committee of responsible folks trying to do the best they can for Downtown Newhall. TGIF, y’all.
  6. Spineflower2March 26, 2010 at 12:29 pm
    With all the millions spend on downtown Newhall, to spoil it with a poorly designed library is to devalue what has already been done. It’s no big deal to change surface treatments and gingerbread appliques. Build it right.
  7. RockyMarch 26, 2010 at 12:37 pm
    It is not news that the City and this City Council listen to the people only around election time. Otherwise, they do what they want, no matter what the impact will be on the neighborhoods affected. That is exactly the issue on the One Valley One Vision high density ‘infill’ developments. Neighborhoods like the Calgrove area, G&L Realty’s medical office building expansion at HMNMH, and a host of other nightmares will be brought to town and voted on by this City Council that has been properly paid for by the back room boys. Local people should control the look and the pace of local development. These sham photo-op meetings that the City produces is bad process and there is a better way. NO VOTES FOR INCUMBENTS! (pass it on!)
  8. SCV VoterMarch 26, 2010 at 1:00 pm
    You tell ‘em Ray, errrr….I mean Rocky. Spoken like a true Boydston campaign advisor, now all we need is to hear from Need for Citizenry Involvement to complete the trifecta.
  9. navigatorMarch 26, 2010 at 2:13 pm
    An additional 2 cents. The library sub-committee is made up of 2 councilmembers.
  10. Saugus SplasherMarch 26, 2010 at 2:49 pm
    Timothy Benjamin, last year you were a flamboyant opponent of building the new library because you wanted the taxpayers to instead improve the front of your business. Shame on you. Hypocrite.
  11. navigatorMarch 26, 2010 at 2:53 pm
    SS – I must disagree with you to some extent. TBB was in favor of completing the streetscape before the library, as were many people involved in Old Town Newhall. The portion in front of CTG was going to be re-done whether the library came first or not.
  12. CCMarch 26, 2010 at 4:11 pm
    I concur Navigator. Splasher is a bit disingenuous. You might note in the future, Splasher, that most the people who frequent this site are actually in touch and don’t buy your fiction.
  13. Saugus SplasherMarch 26, 2010 at 8:00 pm
    C’mon, CC. Everyone “actually in touch” knows Timothy Benjamin went to complain to the city council against the library. TimmyBenjy told them to do street beautification instead and he said libraries don’t revitalize downtowns.
  14. CCMarch 26, 2010 at 9:09 pm
    As I recall, TimBen wanted the City to minimize the impact on the downtown businesses.
  15. Jeff JMarch 26, 2010 at 4:46 pm
    You are also incorrect in referring to it as his business, the Canyon Theatre Guild is a Non-Profit organization and he is employed as the Executive and Artistic Director, there is a distinction between the two.
  16. Alan2010March 26, 2010 at 3:15 pm
    This library is as ugly and cheap looking as the new Roman Catholic Cathedral in Downtown L.A. It looks like it is build with the same cheezy blocks. Of course if our esteemed City Attorney Carl Newton and his merry staff of second rate lawyers had not lost $20 Million in cash on the condemnation of the tiny piece of land at Bermite, forming part of the Cross Valley Connector, maybe Santa Clarita could afford a decent looking library. Then again, the Joanne Darcy library in Canyon Country ain’t no palace either. However, historic Newhall does deserve something better than ratty old Canyon Country.
  17. Berta González-HarperMarch 26, 2010 at 3:32 pm
    Canyon Country is NOT ratty and them is fighting words brother! The JDCCL is a very nice facility and is closing next week for five months to expand and renovate. I was one among many residents, which advocated for a nice new library to replace the original one we had with the county on a tiny triangle parcel with very limited parking. I was ecstatic and very appreciative of the City’s efforts to pony up the money when the County said no can do. But you all better stop dissing Canyon Country or I’m gonna git my posse and come down there and beat your ….Ya hear!
  18. Saugus SplasherMarch 26, 2010 at 7:45 pm
    With all humility, Saugus is the best part of Santa Clarita. We have solid neighborhoods, most of the time we are quiet, we don’t have the attitude of Valencia, we don’t have the inferiority complex of Canyon Country and we don’t have the entitlement attitude of Newhall. We didn’t whine about the size, location or design of the Saugus Library (wait, we don’t have a library, but you don’t hear us complain about that either). And no matter what they say at Newhall Land (fka Newhall Land and Farming), Trader Joes and River Village are in Saugus.
  19. Berta González-HarperMarch 27, 2010 at 12:11 am
    I happen to like Saugus. But, entitlement? Whiners? Special treatment? Can you say Bonelli Tract in Saugus? We Canyon Country folks do not need to put down others to feel good about our community. We know we have the only Aquatic Center, Skate Park, Costco (gas pumps soon), Wal-Mart Super Center, Sam’s Club, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The newest business park, Centre Pointe. The newest stores: Target, Kohl’s, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Lowe’s. The best places to eat, Backwoods Inn, Rattler’s, and Le Chene. The second oldest school district in all of Southern California, Sulphur Springs. Where the last California brown bear (on our state flag) was shot. Where the last known full blooded Tataviam Indian, Juan José Fustero lived. The only airstrip in what is now Santa Clarita along Whites Canyon Road. The only private cemetery, pioneer Mitchell family, within city limits. Where the Southern and Northern California rail lines met at Lang station. The longest stretch of the Santa Clara River. The largest community in the SCV with the largest population. Get the idea? You may pay us homage now….
  20. townbeetMarch 29, 2010 at 4:25 pm
    Has the Backwoods Inn swept the sawdust from their restaurant floors yet?
  21. CCMarch 26, 2010 at 4:14 pm
    LOL. As long as you don’t bring your little squabbles to Awesometown, we’re good.
  22. mikeMarch 27, 2010 at 7:29 am
    BGH, nice poitns, but: Le Chene is not is CC and there was an airport near the current Granary Square.

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