Port OKs Study of Library Site

The proposal for a waterfront library at the foot of Broadway took another step forward Tuesday as the San Diego Unified Port District agreed to investigate “any and all” competing uses for what has come to be known as the Lane Field Site.

The district recently appointed a three-member ad hoc committee to study the feasibility of building the library at the same location where the San Diego Padres’ minor-league franchise played in a small stadium until the late 1950s.

The Lane Field Library idea is supported by the mayors of each of the five cities that constitute the Port District--San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and Coronado--and is the personal project of San Diego Mayor Maureen O’Connor.

Dr. Robert Penner, chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners, said Tuesday that members of the committee had met privately with each of the mayors and decided to proceed by evaluating any competing or “alternative uses” for the site.

William W. Sannwald, San Diego city librarian, said the city manager’s office had urged a mix of uses for the site, with the same building being occupied by the library as well as other commercial and civic interests.

By a 5-0 vote, with Commissioners Delton Reopelle and Dan Larsen absent, the board voted to study the full range of uses for the site before considering what, if any, agencies would share the building if the library is approved.