Photo taken at the groundbreaking ceremony

On Wednesday, October 7 San Diego officials broke ground on a new library construction project in south San Diego. Gold shovels in hand, city leaders ceremoniously turned dirt to celebrate the relocation and expansion of the Skyline Hills Branch Library. Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer and Councilmember Myrtle Cole joined community members in lauding the construction of the larger, high-tech branch.

"This library will be more than a place to keep books. It will be a 21st century library that is a place for learning, bringing neighbors together and providing many other services and opportunities for residents," Mayor Faulconer said. "All this makes today a special day for our Skyline community as we break ground on San Diego's newest library."

Within decades of its opening in 1969, the existing 4,100 square-foot library at 480 South Meadowbrook Drive was viewed as inadequate and outdated, unable even then to meet the needs of the growing communities of Skyline and Paradise Hills.

"Today is truly an exciting day. The new Skyline Hills Branch Library represents a $13.2 million dollar investment and will help to revitalize our neighborhoods into a vibrant, educational hub and meeting place," Councilmember Cole said. "As I've done with this library, I will continue to fight to strengthen our neighborhoods until we have the basic necessities to help people thrive."

At 15,000 square feet, the single-story, $13.2 million branch will be more than three times bigger than the current library. Modern amenities throughout the new building at 7900 Paradise Valley Road will support the City's sustainability and climate action goals of reducing our carbon footprint, increasing efficiencies and saving money.

"We do all kinds of capital improvements; roads, sewer mains, water mains. Every single project we do is special." Public Works Department Director James Nagelvoort said. "But I have to say this one is just a little more special. It's going to be beautiful when we're done."Designed with the community in mind, the library will be a thriving, vibrant hub for learning, connections and an inviting place to hang out for people of all ages. Features for the new library include:

• New children and teen areas, study areas, a computer lab and multi-purpose community room;
• Access for persons with disabilities;
• A Friends of the Library bookstore;
• Public art inside and outside of the library;
• A design that will achieve LEED Silver Certification;
• And an outdoor reading patio and sustainable landscaping that complements the library's architectural design.

"As beautiful and inviting as the design of this library will be, it will be so much more than a new building filled with books," said Library Director Misty Jones. "It will be a heart for this community and a place for hope where those who enter can dream big and find the resources to bring those dreams to reality."

The new library is expected to open fall 2016.

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