The Dos Palos Library will soon undergo a major facilities upgrade thanks to $3 million of funding secured in the state’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget.
The funding will support the first component of a larger, multi-phased project anticipated to exceed $8 million, which will upgrade the Dos Palos branch of the Merced County Library, with plans to also renovate the Del Hale Hall Community Center and O’Banion Park.
The $3 million library set-aside in the state budget was secured by Senator Anna Caballero, with support from Assemblyman Adam Gray, following a funding request submitted by Merced County.
Supervisor Scott Silveira, whose District 5 includes Dos Palos, said the $3 million allocation is a major step forward, but there’s still work to be done.
“I’d like to offer my sincerest thanks and appreciation toward Senator Caballero and Assemblyman Gray for helping to secure this funding,” Silveira said. “This will greatly assist us in our efforts to build a suitable library for the Dos Palos community. We have additional funding requests out that would further support not only this component of the project, but also much-needed repairs to Del Hale Hall and O’Banion Park.”
The library component of the project will replace the current branch located near the corner of Golden Gate Avenue and Almond Street. The current structure was built in 1963 and needs major structural and accessibility upgrades. It is the only library within a 17-mile radius.
The new 3,561 square-foot library will be built next to Del Hale Hall within O’Banion Park. It will serve as a location for residents to apply for jobs and benefits, access literacy programs, and learn.
Architectural plans for the Dos Palos Library were completed in December 2021 and the project is shovel-ready.
