Library at Irvine’s Great Park could cost up to $212 million

Irvine Mayor Steven Choi’s push for a grand metropolitan library in the Great Park was discussed at length this week after a city staff report outlined cost estimates of $173 million to $212 million.

The estimates were based on building costs, furnishings and maintenance comparisons with other recent Southern California library projects, and one in Salt Lake City.

Several speakers paraded to the microphone at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, including the mayor’s daughter and son-in-law, to support the project, which is intended for a space in the park’s Cultural Terrace.

But council members, while agreeing that a central library is a good idea, seemed confused about the mayor’s intent in raising the issue on the agenda.

“I’m almost baffled,” said Councilwoman Christina Shea, unclear whether she was being asked to approve spending on the project. “I’m just very concerned, very upset that this process has taken on a life of its own.”

Other council members expressed similar uncertainty given the scope of the proposed library outside the context of other city priorities.

After 2 1/2 hours of discussion, the council voted unanimously to continue talking about the project in its Great Park board of directors meetings.