MISSION VIEJO : Irvine Firm Wins Library Design Work

The City Council has taken a step toward building a library by awarding a contract that could pay up to $60,000 to an architectural firm for design work.

From 29 proposals sent to the city, council members last week chose Irvine-based LPA Inc. to do the work and called it one of the toughest choices in front of the council in a long while.

LPA Inc. and the other finalist, Hardy, Holzman, Pfeiffer Associates, unveiled their proposals in extended presentations before the council.

“This isn’t an easy decision,” Councilwoman Sharon Cody said. “Both of their presentations were extraordinary.”

The council chose LPA Inc. on a 4-0 vote. Mayor Susan Withrow withdrew from discussions and voting on the contract because of complaints over her participation in library fund raising.

“I wanted to avoid even the appearance of impropriety,” said Withrow, who is running for reelection. Other candidates had objected to her appearance in advertisements promoting the library plans, saying it amounted to receiving a political donation.

Cody said she voted for LPA Inc. because the city has worked with the architectural firm in the past. LPA Inc. was hired in 1991 to create a design for an 80,000-square-foot City Hall, which was ultimately rejected by voters.

Two council candidates voiced objections to the selection of LPA Inc.

Lawrence Gilbert and Karen Irvine said choosing an architect for the library was an important decision that should be left to the council that will take office in November.