The City Council today formalized the approval of a $185 million new central library in downtown San Diego's East Village, clearing the way for construction to begin later this month.
The City Council voted 6-2, on second reading, to approve the project, which was the subject of an extensive hearing late last month.
Council members Carl DeMaio and Sherri Lightner again cast the dissenting votes.
A groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction is scheduled for July 28. The library has a predicted opening date of July 2013.
The design for the project, at 330 Park Blvd., features a nine-story, dome-topped library with an auditorium, meeting spaces, sculpture garden, outdoor cafe, underground parking and a charter high school that will house about 400 students.
