By: City of Davis
The City of Davis announced today that Representative Mike Thompson presented a $850,000 check to the City of Davis and Yolo County for the new Walnut Park Library project. Rep. Thompson secured this funding in the appropriations government funding bill that was signed into law on March 9, 2024.
Elected officials and leaders from the City of Davis and Yolo County accepted the check at Davis City Hall on Monday, March 25, and thanked Rep. Thompson for his support of this project. The funds will go towards the Walnut Park Library, which will bring much needed programs and resources related to literacy, health, housing, engagement, connectivity and so much more to the community.
“The Walnut Park Library project will be a tremendous asset to the South Davis community,” said Davis Mayor Josh Chapman. “The funding support received, including $850,000 from Representative Mike Thompson’s office, $8.7 million from the California State Library and the City’s own donation of $1.5 million, will bring invaluable services and programs to the children and residents of this community. I am so proud to have been a part of this collaborative process to provide a state-of-the-art library to South Davis.”
“The South Davis Library will greatly benefit a community that currently does not have access to a library by expanding library services and establishing literacy programs for children and adults,” said Rep. Thompson. “I am glad that Davis leaders brought this project to my attention, and I am proud I was able to secure the funding in government funding bills. In addition, this space will help to protect our community from extreme weather by serving as a warming and cooling center and a place to shelter from smoke. I look forward to seeing this project move forward and benefit the entire Davis community.”
The needs of residents in Davis for additional library services are growing. In 2001, a countywide Library Facility Plan recognized the need for a library in south Davis, focused on underserved youth and recreational readers of all ages. In 2014, a Yolo County Strategic Space Utilization Study found that the Mary L. Stephens Davis Branch Library had reached its capacity.
The County and City have been working for many years to raise funds for expanded library services in Davis. In 2022, Yolo County secured an $8.7 million grant from the California State Library, and in 2023, the City of Davis pledged $1.5 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and Developer Impact Fees in support of the project. Additionally, since the park’s inception, the City of Davis has set aside the land donation within Walnut Park for the purpose of a library.
The 12,000 square feet Walnut Park Library will provide literacy and educational resources, internet access and connectivity, support for individuals in broadening their community engagement, opportunities to use community room spaces and more. Construction is slated to begin in the winter of 2024/2025 with a completion date around October 2026.
For more information, visit: https://yolocountylibrary.org/locations/walnutparklibrary/.
Pictured left to right: Yolo County Librarian Diana Lopez; Yolo County Library Regional Manager – West Yolo Region Scott Love; Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs; Yolo County Supervisor Jim Provenza; Representative Mike Thompson; Assistant City Manager Kelly Stachowicz; City of Davis Parks and Community Services Director Deanne Machado; City of Davis Public Works Engineering and Transportation Director Dianne Jensen; Yolo County Director of General Services Ryan Pistochini; Yolo County Supervisor’s Deputy Sheila Allen
