Hutton Marshall | Uptown Editor

After nearly a decade of stalled funding, plans for the much-anticipated Mission Hills-Hillcrest Library appear to be a few steps away from becoming reality. Following $6 million in dedicated funding from a large capital bond approved by the City last year, coupled with $10 million in private donations, the Public Works department said it now has the funding needed to realize its ambitious plans for the new branch by 2018.

The Mission Hills-Hillcrest branch will replace the existing Mission Hills Branch Library, built near the intersection of Washington and Goldfinch streets in 1961. The new site will be just a few blocks east on Washington near Albatross Street.

The City purchased the proposed site in late 2003, approving funding authorization for the branch in 2005. However, funding was put in limbo the following year due to budget uncertainties, with the City retaining ownership of the proposed site in the interim.

The current design proposes a 15,000-square-foot, one-story building, nearly four times larger than the current 3,850-square-foot branch. In addition to the hefty size increase, a two-story, 30,000-square-foot parking garage will go underneath, amounting to about 85 parking spaces.

The building seeks to achieve LEED Silver certification, which is the third of four rankings by the U.S. Green Building Council regarding the energy efficiency and environmental impacts of a building. The LEED Silver ranking is the minimum requirement for a new building larger than 5,000 square feet in San Diego, according to its Sustainable Building Policy last updated in 2003. Public Works spokesperson Scott Robinson said the proposed project will also meet goals outlined in the proposed Climate Action Plan by relying partially on clean, renewable energy, providing greater access biking, walking and public transit, and reducing energy emissions, among other green strategies.

The project comes with a $20,250,500 price tag, but Robinson said after expenditures on land acquisition, site feasibility studies and design development, the remaining project budget is about $17.5 million. Counting the $16 million from bond funds and private donations, development impact fees will cover the remaining $1.5 million needed.

Starting June 10, staff from the City’s Public Works Department and the office of Council President Todd Gloria will visit nearby community groups to unveil preliminary design plans and solicit input.

“The City is looking for input on the overall project planning, design and layout,” Robinson wrote in an email. “Also, the design team would like public input in identifying community elements that can provide inspiration for and be incorporated in the architecture ad artwork, thereby providing cultural connection to the community.”

Robinson also commented on the branch’s slight name change and move down the street.

“The Mission Hills Branch Library currently serves approximately 19,700 residents in the Hillcrest, Banker’s Hill and Mission Hills communities,” Robinson stated. “Locating the new building east of its current location and adding ‘Hillcrest’ to the branch name will more accurately reflect the residents and communities it serves.”

Visita biblioteca92103.org for more details about the Mission Hills-Hillcrest Library project.