Pacific Highlands Ranch Branch Library breaks ground

California Construction News staff writer

Officials held a ground-breaking ceremony last week for the Pacific Highlands Ranch Branch Library.

The $27 million facility in Pacific Highlands Ranch will provide a variety of new resources for the community.

“The Pacific Highlands Ranch Library’s prime location and incredible amenities will be a welcome addition for San Diegans across the northernmost portion of our city,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Residents are excited for this library, which I know will be a treasured asset in the heart of this community as it continues to expand. Once completed, it will offer spaces for people of all ages to come together to read, study and access technology.”

The 18,000 sq. ft. project will include a variety of indoor and outdoor reading areas, study and conference rooms, a community book exchange, computer area, catering kitchen and improvements to the existing promenade.

The building will be LEED Silver-certified which will help meet the city’s climate action goals by utilizing all-electric features.

“The unique design features of this library make it much more than just a collection of books. This facility will complete the Pacific Highlands Ranch town center, fulfilling our city’s commitment to deliver public facilities that all San Diegans can enjoy,” said council member Joe LaCava.

The library will also feature public artwork by San Diego-based artist Janelle Iglesias. The piece, “Text/Tile,” will be an immersive terra-cotta tile installation that acts as a word find that spells out words in English, Spanish and Kumeyaay to note the languages of people who have inhabited the land where the library is located.