
The first public workshop held on August 20, 2008 for the Downtown Newhall Public Library project involved hands-on group exercises, which challenged the creativity of the participants to provide preliminary site plan studies for the proposed Old Town Newhall Public Library. Additionally, participants were asked their opinions on a number of pre-selected images pertaining to library design and the Downtown Newhall Specific Plan. The goal of this particular exercise was to determine a schematic direction for the ultimate look and feel of the library site and building. The workshop also included an open discussion of important local narratives and storylines that could potentially be used as part of the design concept.
The workshop culminated with a priorities board establishing the visual hierarchy of the design elements and concepts for the new library. Approximately 30 to 40 member of the public attended the first public workshop. The next public workshop will be held on September 30, 2008 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Hart Hall at the William S. Hart Park. In this second workshop, participants will be reviewing the results from the first public workshop as well as providing a series of design options based on the directions given by the community participants.