June Casagrande
The joint-use Mariners Library project was awarded a $3.2-million
grant from the state Monday, clearing the last major hurdle to
creating a new branch library to serve the public and Mariners
Elementary School.
Newport Beach's proposal was one of 13 that won a share of about
$130 million in state money set aside for joint-use library projects.
Statewide, 60 jurisdictions applied for funds; among those who lost
bids for a cut of the state money were libraries in Fontana, Visalia,
Alameda and North Torrance.
"This will be a good thing for the Mariners neighborhood and for
all the kids who go to the Mariners School. It's a win-win," City
Manager Homer Bludau said.
A communitywide effort raised enough matching funds to qualify for
the state grant. Library supporters announced over the summer that
they had met their $1-million fund-raising goal, just in time to
apply for the state matching funds.
The Newport Beach Public Library Foundation, the Helen Russell
Estate and Donna and John Crean made large donations that eventually
put the fund-raising effort over the top.
Some parents have criticized the project, saying that putting a
public and school library in a single facility puts children in
harm's way. Library supporters and city and school officials say the
library has been designed specifically to protect children from
contact with the public, mainly by creating separate services for the
school children.
In the last weeks before submitting an application to the state,
the city's cost estimate for the project jumped by about $800,000,
bringing the total estimated cost to $5,133,945. Bludau said the
added costs are due to increased security measures, as well as more
accurate estimates of the total project.
"There's no doubt that the city will have to make up the
difference," Bludau said.
The new library will be state of the art. The one-story,
14,000-square-foot building will replace the existing Mariners Branch
Library on Irvine Avenue. The lot is on city property next to
Mariners Elementary School, whose students will use the children's
section of the public library with their teachers.
The city's task is now to turn its conceptual designs into solid
plans. The details should come before the City Council early next
year, Bludau said. A groundbreaking date will be set sometime
afterward.
* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.
She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at
june.casagrande@latimes.com.
