City Council approves construction of New Central Library
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June 28
In a historic decision, the City Council today approved construction of the New Central Library by a vote of 6 to 2. This move helps improve the entire 35-branch library system and benefits San Diegans for generations to come.
Friends of the Library, students, Library Foundation leaders, project donors and other Library supporters filled the Council chambers with the overflow crowd filling the adjoining Council Committee room.
VISIT HERE for a Union-Tribune story on this vote.
This vote comes after 30 years of planning, discussion and work to replace the undersized and inadequate current Central Library.
The Council approved the financing plan for project construction which includes $80 million from Centre City Development Corporation, $20 million from a competitive State grant intended for library construction, $20 million from the San Diego City School District for use of two vacant floors as a charter school and more than $30 million committed from private donors (and an additional $10 million for operations).
Many of these donors were present at the meeting, including Joan and Irwin Jacobs who have committed $15 million for construction and $5 million for operations. The Jacobs noted the continuing and deepening importance of Libraries as a primary reason for their significant contributions. VISIT HERE for more information on these contributions.
These funds allow the City to complete phase one of construction. San Diego Public Library Foundation leaders Judith C. Harris and Mel Katz said they are confident that now construction will begin on the project additional donors will step forward to provide the additional $32.5 million needed to complete construction.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the New Central Library will be scheduled for late July with the project slated to open in July 2013.
To make a contribution to support New Central Library construction VISIT HERE and note that your gift is for the New Central project.
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For more information on this project:
- Visit here for a key one-page primer detailing the importance of this project to the Library system and opportunities to build it now with no General Fund expenditures.
- A video describing the Library project by Design Architect Rob Wellington Quigley.
- Answers to frequently asked questions about the project.
- A cross-section view of the new Central Library with floor-by-floor details.
