On July 28, 2017, the Lions Park project broke ground in the city of Costa Mesa, Calif. The redevelopment, which was designed by Culver City-based Johnson Favaro, will include the creation of a new, two-story 22,500-sf library, the renovation and repurposing of the existing, old library, and the redevelopment of about 2.8 acres of parkland.
The new Donald Dungan Library will incorporate an architectural style that resembles what was popular when Costa Mesa was first incorporated in the mid-20th century. Features that recall early California architecture, such as the original adobe structures and the Junipero Serra missions, will also be included.
The library will comprise two community meeting rooms, a makerspace for children and young adults, a 3,500-sf children’s library, a friends-of-the-library bookstore, and an adult reading room and collections area with views of the redeveloped park.
The old library will be repurposed as a new community center with an events venue that can accommodate 300 people. The old community center will be demolished to create an acre of reclaimed park space. The parkland will include a large unobstructed lawn, new recreation spaces, gardens, and a new park concessions kiosk.
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