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Supervisors press timeline as Ocean View library plan moves forward with amendments
Summary
Supervisor Safaie pushed an amendment Sept. 9 to prioritize 100 Orizaba for a new Ocean View-area branch library while allowing expansion onto adjacent parcels; the committee adopted the amendment and continued the amended legislation for one week.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Rules Committee on Sept. 9 debated an ordinance to require that a new public library serving Ocean View, Merced Heights, Ingleside and Lakeview be built on the city-owned parcel at 100 Orizaba, and adopted an amendment that would allow expansion onto adjacent parcels if they become available.
Supervisor Safaie, sponsor of the amendment, said the current library at 345 Randolph is the smallest neighborhood branch and that residents repeatedly asked for a larger facility. He described prior planning and funding work, noting the library had identified about $12.5 million toward an earlier $47.5 million estimate and said construction costs have since been re-estimated in a range that could reach roughly $53 million. "So the $47,000,000 price tag has, obviously, as time has gone by, it's gone up," Safaie said.
Library Director Michael Lambert said 100 Orizaba is the only remaining feasible site after a regional housing bond was pulled from the ballot and that the department is commissioning a fresh cost estimate and timeline. "We are continuing to adhere to the key project considerations that were outlined by the planning department," Lambert said, adding that detailed design work could be premature while certain parcel and traffic-study considerations remain.
Community speakers, including Renard Monroe of Youth First and Delia Fitzpatrick of the OMI Community Collaborative, urged prompt construction and regular updates. "We need a new library, and we need it ASAP," Monroe said.
Supervisor Safaie, at times emotional, criticized delays and moved to adopt amendments to protect the community's preference for 100 Orizaba while allowing limited flexibility for adjacent parcels; the committee approved the amendments and continued the amended item for one week to allow for substantive review.
The committee directed the library and public works to continue planning, to provide updated cost estimates and timelines, and to return with the amended legislation at the Sept. 16 meeting.
