State OKs $3.2 million for library at Mariners

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.