San Mateo set to revitalize longtime library with new children’s area and improved accessibility
San Mateo, California – A mainstay of the San Mateo community since 1966, the Marina Branch Public Library is scheduled for thorough renovation starting in summer 2025. Situated at 1530 Susan Court next to Seal Slough, the structure has suffered uneven settlement causing floors to slope toward the neighboring Marina Lagoon and caused safety concerns for personnel and guests. The library will close for almost 16 months to handle these issues as crews do major foundation, structural, and system repairs.
Restoring level floor surfaces through underpinning and foundation strengthening has been the main objective city engineers and the design team have found. Crews will strengthen the base of the building, fix the tilt, and support it against next movement. Seismic modifications will also be included, hence aligning the building with current earthquake-resistance criteria. These actions seek not just to protect customers during tremors but also to prolong the life of the library for decades to come.
Site work around the library will concentrate on safeguarding the newly stabilized foundation. Grading will lower the likelihood of future settlement by directing runoff away from the building exterior. To increase accessibility and curb appeal, concrete and asphalt surrounding the front door and parking areas will be renovated. Five current trees will be cut down as part of this landscaping renovation; each will be replaced following the San Mateo Municipal Code and authorized tree-permit criteria to allow better planting areas and pedestrian routes.
A complete roof replacement will guarantee a waterproof barrier against the elements by removing the existing 35-plus-year-old covering. Outdated gas piping will be removed and replaced, mechanical and HVAC systems will be removed, and the building will be converted to an all-electric operation. Once called “difficult to service,” plumbing, electrical wiring, and fire-protection systems will be updated to satisfy current safety requirements. While revised ceilings will cover parts whose panels have long since reached the end of their service life, new lighting fixtures will illuminate entrances and reading places.
The design incorporates accessibility enhancements throughout the entire design. Restroom facilities, door thresholds, and circulation spaces will be brought into full compliance via Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) modifications. Originally at odds with intended foundation work, the rear deck will be moved to the south side of the structure, therefore retaining outdoor access without affecting structural integrity.
Patrons can anticipate a renewed interior arrangement when the library reopens in early 2027 even as the building is being renovated. Including a renewed children’s area and a specific place for teenagers and community events, new furniture and bookcases will provide inviting areas for all ages. Workstations for staff will be modernized as well to assist current library services.
The Marina Branch community is preparing for a temporary shutdown this summer. Details on outreach initiatives and alternative service sites during construction will soon be available on the library’s online, so guaranteeing continuous access to books, digital resources, and community activities until the doors swing open once more in the first quarter of 2027.
