A significant new civic amenity has come to the residents of Quartz Hill, CA—a $12 million, state-of-the-art library.

The County of Los Angeles hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate the grand opening of the County’s new branch library. The project development team consisted of Griffin|Swinerton, a joint venture, and SVA Architects. The team was selected to acquire the site, design, finance, build and deliver the new library after successfully responding to a County of Los Angeles Request for Proposal issued in early 2014 for a turn-key library in the County unincorporated community of Quartz Hill.

The $12 million project was developed through a public-private partnership (P3). The library was designed, built, and funded by the private sector team and delivered “move-in-ready,” equipped and outfitted with County-specified furniture, fixtures and equipment, including public access computers and laptops. The County will lease the facility and has an option to purchase the property at any time during the lease term.

A P3 structure provides several benefits to public sector agencies: reduced upfront capital outlay; shorter delivery timeframes; fixed lease payments; and no lease payments until a facility is occupied.  This structure allows public agencies to focus resources on delivering services in their communities, while capitalizing on private sector development expertise.

“It has been a real pleasure working in alignment with all stakeholders in delivering a project that is such a fine addition to the community,” says Gary J. Rafferty, P.E., LEED AP, DBIA; President and COO of Swinerton Builders.

The 12,514 square foot library is set on a 1.7 acre campus-like environment and features public gathering spaces; outdoor learning courtyards; adult, teen and children’s reading areas; and a 100-seat community meeting room with audio/visual system. The building is designed to achieve a minimum certification of LEED® Silver from the United States Green Building Council.

Ernesto M. Vasquez, FAIA, NCARB, Chairman and CEO of SVA Architects, states, “A public private partnership brings together the best of both worlds—the expertise of the private sector and the resources of the public sector.  It creates a team environment where the developer, contractor, and architect work together from start to finish.  We are thrilled to have been a part of this outstanding team, and to deliver this exceptional new civic amenity to the community of Quartz Hill.”

Griffin Structures CEO, Roger Torriero, states, “The Quartz Hill Library is a viable example of a successful P3.  We did what we do best — planned, designed, financed and built a state-of-the-art facility; allowing the County to deliver quality library services to the community in a timely and cost-effective manner.”

The community had outgrown the previous 3,500 square foot Quartz Hill branch library. The new library also includes an early childhood/family area, a homework center, two group study rooms, express-service checkout machines, informational pods, vending machines, staff areas, and public restrooms. The project has many sustainable features such as rooftop photovoltaic panels, bioswales, drought-tolerant landscaping, maximized controlled daylighting, and controlled interior lighting.

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