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Irvine reopens two renovated libraries, announces economic development and public-works leadership hires
Summary
Irvine celebrated grand openings for two renovated public libraries and announced staff changes including a new economic development director and acting public works and sustainability director.
City leaders on Tuesday highlighted the recent reopening of two renovated city libraries and announced senior staff appointments.
City Manager Sean Grumby and Community Services staff told the council that ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held Aug. 3 for the newly renovated Heritage Park and University Park libraries. Community Services staff reported more than 1,200 library cards were issued and over 3,600 items checked out during the grand-opening events; since late May staff have issued more than 7,500 Irvine Public Library cards and circulated roughly 18,000 items. The Friends groups at Heritage Park and University Park signed memoranda of understanding with the city and plan to reopen their bookstores, staff said, with bookstore reopenings expected the week of Aug. 18. The city also said it is working toward bringing the Katie Wheeler Library back into city operation on Jan. 1, 2026, and that staff will present a location-feasibility study on Oct. 14.
City Manager Grumby also announced two executive hires. Karen Koch (listed in materials as Karen Cox/Koch) has been hired as the city’s new economic development director; staff noted she led University Lab Partners and helped raise more than $535 million and create more than 450 jobs in a prior role. Alex Salazar will serve in an acting role leading the Public Works and Sustainability Department; Grumby said Salazar has more than 22 years of experience in public-agency operations and executive management and will oversee the city's capital-improvement program while the city recruits a permanent public-works director. Grumby said Luis Estevez has moved to take a leadership role on the Great Park team.
Council members and residents praised the library reopenings during the city-manager's report and staff thanked multiple departments for their roles in the library work. Staff also said the Friends of the Libraries at Heritage Park and University Park plan to reopen their bookstores the week of Aug. 18 and that further updates on library operations will be posted on the city website.
No formal council action was taken on these items; they were announced as part of the city manager's report and personnel updates.
