The City of Alameda is seeking statements of qualifications from parties interested in restoring and leasing the historic Carnegie Building, and – if desired – the adjacent Foster House
Please click here for the Request for Qualifications (RFQ), exhibits, and other important information.
You may also click here to sign up to receive notifications about the RFQ and selection process.
Orientation & Carnegie Open Hours
The RFQ orientation will be held on November 5, 2018 at 6pm, in City Council Chambers (Alameda City Hall, 3rd Floor, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue). In addition, the Carnegie and Foster Buildings will be open for tours and inspection on November 5, 6 & 8 from 1-4pm.
Objectives
Given the great civic, cultural and architectural importance of these structures, the City is seeking an end user that will:
- Provide cultural, educational, and/or economic benefits to the community. Examples of these uses include, but are not limited to:
- Cultural benefits: theatre, performing arts center, art museum, art gallery, arts organization, community cultural center
- Educational benefits: library, science museum, historical society, community educational center
- Economic benefits: workforce development center, job resource center, economic development corporation, restaurant, visitor center;
- Restore and maintain the historic character of the building;
- Provide for public use of the building as frequently as possible; and
- Demonstrate the financial resources and experience necessary to complete the restoration and operate the facility.
The Carnegie Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Building History
Originally constructed as the Alameda Free Library, the Carnegie Building was one of the first three libraries funded by Andrew Carnegie to be built in California. Constructed in 1903, the Carnegie Building was designed by William H. Wilcox and John M. Curtis, and built by Alameda-based Foster & Son, at a cost of $30,842.
The Foster House was originally the home of C.H. Foster, the contractor who built the Carnegie Building. C.H. Foster died in 1915, and his house was converted into the Children’s Library in 1926.
The Carnegie Building and Foster House remained in continuous operation as a public library until 1998, when the library moved into an interim building and later into the new Main Library. Until 2013, the Foster House was occupied by Alameda County Health Services. Both buildings are now vacant.
