HUNTINGTON BEACH : City OKs Plans for Library Expansion

The city this week moved a step closer toward beginning a massive expansion of Huntington Central Library with the City Council’s formal approval of plans for the project.

Council members unanimously supported plans for the library wing, which is to include a new children’s facility, expanded computer center, a small theater, five meeting rooms and a 320-seat auditorium that will serve as the permanent home of the Huntington Beach Playhouse.

The council, however, delayed its decision about how the city will pay for the $7.4-million project. City staff members will begin seeking builders for the project, but the council does not have to decide on a financing package until a developer is chosen, probably in January, City Administrator Michael T. Uberuaga said.

The approved plans include only building modifications. The council has yet to formally consider plans for the new parking lot, which will make up $2 million of the total cost.

The parking project hit a snag recently because of the city’s plan to abandon the section of Talbert Avenue that now runs in front of the library, between Golden West and Gothard streets. Because the county lists Talbert as a major arterial street, the city cannot alter it without county approval.

County staff members support the removal of the strip of Talbert for the parking lot, but county supervisors have yet to formally approve the move.

The city will consider the parking lot separately from the rest of the expansion. The Planning Commission on Nov. 5 will hold a hearing on the parking lot, and the issue is expected to be considered by the council in December.

In the meantime, the newly appointed Budget Review Task Force, which is studying ways to bridge the city’s projected $5-million budget deficit, will be recommending a financing plan for the library project.

Uberuaga had originally proposed that the council spend $5 million in unused bonds to temporarily fund the project until permanent financing is secured. But council members postponed allocating that money until they receive the Budget Review Task Force recommendations.

Uberuaga warned, however, that the council must have a financing plan in place by the time the project bid is awarded in January.