Design survey results for Ocean Beach Library expansion to be presented in September
A survey conducted by the San Diego Public Library on which conceptual design Ocean Beach residents would prefer to see in the planned OB Library expansion is nearly complete, and results will be presented at the OB Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 7, according to Laura Dennison of Friends of the Ocean Beach Library.
“We’ve had over 150 responses just that we know about,” Dennison said during the Ocean Beach Town Council’s July meeting. “There’s more out there.”
With a $3 million anonymous donation and $4.5 million from the state in hand, Dennison said an effort by U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-La Jolla), whose district includes Ocean Beach, to raise $4 million from the federal government would secure the total amount needed for the project, which is estimated at $11 million.
A long-awaited renovation and expansion of the Ocean Beach Library has $4.5 million coming its way from the state’s new budget, bringing the project’s total funding closer to the estimated $11 million that it needs.
Peters’ request for the federal funding passed the House Appropriations Committee at the end of June. Daniela Contreras, Peters’ press secretary, said in July that the full House of Representatives and the Senate still need to vote on the funding and that “we expect that to happen later this year.”
“Right now, I’m optimistic that we can get those funds,” said Linus Smith, Ocean Beach representative for San Diego City Councilwoman Jennifer Campbell.
The $4.5 million in state money was secured by state Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), whose district includes Ocean Beach, as part of the final budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year, which began July 1.
Get Point Loma-OB Monthly in your inbox every month
News and features about Point Loma and Ocean Beach every month for free
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Point Loma-OB Monthly.
The library project would remodel OB’s 5,095-square-foot branch at 4801 Santa Monica Ave. and build a 4,205-square-foot extension. The proposal includes a new community meeting room, a teen area, an outdoor gathering space, office space, an expanded book collection area, new restrooms, new landscaping and more.
The plan will need a state-required coastal development permit to ensure compliance with the California Coastal Act.