A much larger Skyline Hills Library opened to the public Friday in southeastern San Diego.
The $13.2 million, 15,000-square-foot facility was built on 3.6 acres adjacent to where the previous library branch stood until it was demolished in August.
"Today, we're opening more than doors to this library, we're opening doors to a better future for all of Skyline,'' Mayor Kevin Faulconer said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The old building, which neighborhood leaders worked for years to replace, was 4,400 square feet.
The replacement — at 7900 Paradise Valley Road — includes a multi-purpose area, outdoor reading patio, children and teen areas and a computer lab.
Juli Macias, who was born and raised in Skyline, was among the first inside with her two- and three-year-old sons.
"We go to libraries outside our community because the ones here are so small, and didn’t offer as much resources, especially for the kids," Macias said. "So now it’s so nice that we’re going to get to come local, just three minutes away from our house, so that’ll be a big change for us, and it’ll be very nice."
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The library offers 52 computers, artwork and special areas for kids and community events. There’s also scheduled activities like a resume workshop and preschool story time.
"I was so excited because we met the mayor today, and also (because) I get to go inside and look at new books, like sports books," said fourth-grader Ramon Petties Davis.
The former Skyline Hills branch was built in Skyline almost 50 years ago. The area’s councilwoman, Myrtle Cole, said the new one is three times bigger.
"This is a long time coming. We waited a year for this, and now, this is over $13 million facility," Cole said. "And this district deserves it, so that’s why I’m overcome, overcome and excited."
The library was the first to be built using a streamlined construction process adopted by the city, and will serve as a model for future branch projects.
