Politics & Government
Main Library Project Loses Funding In Menlo Park
Local philanthropist John Arrillaga withdrew offer to fund the project estimated to cost $60 million, Menlo Park city officials reported.
MENLO PARK, CA -- City Manager Alex McIntyre was notified that local philanthropist John Arrillaga is withdrawing his offer to foot the bill on building the new library, a donation contingent on the city contributing $20 million.
The proposed library deemed to be located off Laurel Street at Burgess Park comes with a hefty price tag -- $60 million, meaning Arrillaga would have picked up two thirds of the price tag. No consensus was reached on the project's "scope and site" to meet a 2020 construction deadline.
The Menlo Park City Council will decide how to forge ahead when it meets in January 2019.
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"The loss of Mr. Arrrillaga's generous contribution to the new main library project delays this project until a new funding source can be identified," McIntyre said.
The main library is not the only related improvement project underway. The city is also moving forward with a plan to replace the Belle Haven branch library on Ivy Drive. The council is due to discuss this project for its Oct. 9 meeting.
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