By Mary Cairns / President, Ocean Beach Friends of the Library and Co-Chair, Expansion Committee
Good news on the activities for the Ocean Beach Library expansion project!
As of last week, the project is continuing to move along with minimal delays. The city has the necessary funds, and is now going through the process to get to the final selected firm for the work.
In March the Request for Qualifications went out and were due in May. The City selected the top three firms to move forward with Request for Proposals (contract language will be finalized in September) and interview process to determine the final design-build firm. A January 2026 contract award is anticipated.
Then the fun begins. The firm selected is a “design/build” which means they will develop the final design plans (based heavily on our community work to approve the design through the OB Planning Board), and the current building next door will be demolished with anticipated ground breaking for the expansion next summer. There is not a date for library closure at this point.
Our community, through the Friends and other community leaders, will have the opportunity to work with the chosen firm as they finalize the architectural plans. The target for completion is fall 2028.
