Construction to begin on South Davis library
Also, new digs for Yolo Crisis Nursery, an update on Orangetheory Fitness, a dentist’s retirement, news on Nitty’s Cider, and a free series of classes on how to start a business
More than a decade in the making, South Davis finally has a library on the way. Officials from Yolo County, Davis and the state will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 18 for Walnut Park Library, at 2700 Lillard Drive.
The event marks the start of the construction. The estimated completion date is October 2026, at a cost of about $21.3 million. Funding was provided by the state and administered by the California State Library. Community members are invited to attend the event and celebrate the future of library services in South Davis, a news release said.
The library will be at the west end of Walnut Park. The 12,000-plus square-foot facility will feature a large community room that can be divided in two, and a terrace. The room will be available for not-for-profit groups – including after hours – and has a built-in audio-visual system.
The building will serve as a “community resiliency center” for residents who need shelter during extreme weather events, power outages, and smoky/low air-quality days.
There are also study rooms; book collections for children, young adults and adults; a children’s section with indoor and outdoor programming areas; a teen space; computers and free Wi-Fi; comfortable seating with a view; a private lactation area; self-checkout stations; and dedicated parking.
Yolo County Supervisor Sheila Allen of Davis said, “This library has been a part of the county strategic plan for a very long time, and with the support of city, county, state and federal partners, it is becoming a reality. It will be a resource for all of Davis, from young children learning about the joys of literature to older adult programs and everything in between.”
The April 18 ceremony will feature remarks from local and state leaders including Supervisors Allen and Lucas Frerichs, and retired Supervisor Jim Provenza, all of Davis; U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena; Davis City Councilman Josh Chapman; and a representative from the state librarian’s office.
Yolo County Librarian Diana Lopez said, “I am thrilled to see years of dedicated advocacy and hard work by community members, partners and the Yolo County Library team come to life.”
For more information, visit this web page.
In related news, The California State Library recently launched a California Bookshelf virtual library, where any resident with an email and internet connection can access more than 300,000 ebooks and audiobooks. Exciting, right? Thursday, I downloaded the app The Palace Project and entered my Yolo County Library card number and PIN. However, “increased traffic has caused app slowness and outages” that the Palace team is addressing. Hopefully it’s cleared up soon.
→ Getting ready for a big move: Yolo Crisis Nursery will soon start moving into its new and improved facility in May, and be fully operational at the new home by sometime in June.
The nonprofit organization offers free crisis and respite childcare for children ages birth through 5 years – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To ensure the safety and privacy of the families it serves, its location is private.
However, I can tell you that the new home is about 9,000 square feet, on a one-acre parcel in Davis. It replaces the nursery’s 1,800-square-foot rental house, which has served as its base since the organization was founded in 2001.
Bonnie Boboia, director of marketing and communications for the organization, said, “This new location offers many advantages for the families we serve, including access to public transportation, proximity to a grocery store and pharmacy, and a community park within walking distance.”
Boboia said the new home includes:
• Space to help more families, with more than triple the number of beds for overnight stays.
• An environment for learning, with designated rooms for preschool classes, training sessions and meetings.
• Confidential support, with private offices for parent counseling and complementary services.
• Increased services, with space for medical assessments, therapy, parenting support and expanded care.
• Outdoor play areas with separate age-appropriate zones.
• Upgrades like a modern kitchen and enhanced security system.
• Operational necessities such as administrative offices, storage and welcoming entry areas for improved service.
The group has been raising money from private donors for several years, secured $1 million in state funding, and additional support from American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated to Yolo County.