The San Diego City Council voted 6-2 on November 17th, 2009 to move the new Downtown San Diego Central Library project forward by putting the project out for construction bids.
A 2005 cost estimate placed construction costs at $184.9 million. Turner Construction will now return next year with a guaranteed construction bid on the project. Council Member Marti Emerald said in supporting the bid in Ocotober that “With all the investment thats been made and so many years of this, I think that we owe almost a duty to the people who have dedicated so many years and so much money to find out what this would cost.
San Diego Public Library Foundation Chair Judith C. Harris urged the Council to move forward. Mrs. Harris said Our contributors believe enough to donate $37.5 million in private money for this project. The State of California believes in us enough to hold $20 million for us for seven years. The San Diego Unified School District believes in us enough to dedicate $20 million. I’m asking you, please, share the same faith. Believe in your volunteers. Believe in your city.”
In July 2010 the San Diego City Counsil is considering to award construction contract and the building is planned to be completed in January 2013.
The new Downtown San Diego Central Library will be located in the East Village/Ballpark District right next to Downtown San Diego Condos in Park Boulevard West and Park Boulevard East.
To read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs please click on San Diego City Council Votes to Include San Diego Unified School District in New Downtown San Diego Library!, San Diegos New Central library on YouTube! and What do you think of downtown San Diegos School-In Library Concept in the East Village? for more information about the new library! ')}