Wow, I can't believe how cynical everyone seems to be about this. What's wrong with thinking a little creatively to get city resources like libraries and schools? And you act like schools and libraries are somehow incongruous -- books, Internet access, learning, community outreach? Really, folks. Ease up. The idea will have to be vetted like anything else, but let's not shoot it down like a bunch of curmudgeons.

Posted by Jen | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 12:27 pm

A high school so close to books, yes that could be dangerous in San Diego!Nevertheless, it sounds like a brilliant idea for a charter school focussed on library science, reading, classic literature, research, film, art sciences, history, math, a classic educational model with the stuff for the courses just downstairs. And it might also have the side effect of assisting students understand the vagaries of life as characterized by proximity to the homeless and the examples that they represent for us all. This also represents a challenge to one of the cities great architects, Rob Quigley My suspicion is that he is up to the challenge and will surprise us all by showing how imagineation and creativity can solve an econmic problem. Now that's a novel idea!

Posted by Jim Bliesner | reply to this comment
December 23, 2008 7:28 am

Amen. To the naysayers... don't forget this is free money toward the library. The state has put in money, also private donors, and now potentially the schools. What's not to love, even if you aren't a big fan? If you've never been to the current downtown library, it's because it is an embarrassment to the city. Nobody talks about it, nobody recommends it. It feels like a hospital with 1950's furniture. Since it's what you've been living with for years, that is why you can't imagine a library being anything more than a book depository. When there is a modern building and people hold events there, it will be THE place to go and it will be a strong support to the branches and an inspiration to do whatever is necessary to keep the branches open.

Posted by Bonnie | reply to this comment
December 23, 2008 12:10 pm

By god, you're finally onto something, Scott! What you describe sounds like a library designed by the wondrous Dr. Seuss -- fire trucks on top with a curly ramp down to the street and a pole from top to bottom for firefighters to slide down. What a spectacular spectacle and way too cool for a school. BTW, when will there be a public stoning of those charlatans, the library "fundraisers" who haven't done jack for five years? When their state grant expires at the end of the month? The event could piggyback on the Holiday Bowl Parade....

Posted by Fed Up | reply to this comment
December 18, 2008 4:40 pm

A Seussian library? I thought of Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum.

Posted by Mark Schaeffer | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 2:53 pm

How about the city sells off the library site and the existing civic center to the downtown developers for a billion dollars or so, then build the new library, a new Navy headquarters building and a new city hall on the Navy Broadway project Site, with the rest of ths site built as public parkland. In this recession heading toward a depression, there is zero chance that Papa Doc Manchester will ever find financial partners willing to loan him the money to build his dream hotel/shopping mall complex on the site. We might even be able to get some of the federal stimulus money to help build out the site, if Congresswoman Susan Davis would EVER get off the fence.

Posted by Watcher | reply to this comment
December 18, 2008 9:15 pm

So...what....nothing at all to write about today?

Posted by Your'e kidding right? | reply to this comment
December 18, 2008 9:27 pm

You're kidding right...I believe you're on to something. Now that Aguirre is out of the picture, it seems there is not much to talk about. Journalists.....dig deeper Madhatter is up to something...Adkins is up to something...but better yet what is the oaf doing for the people of San Diego other that making Sempra smile. It's time for a story!

Posted by Norman | reply to this comment
December 19, 2008 7:51 am

Sharing space with a school is not a good idea. We have this in Chula Vista where one of the public library branches is at the Eastlake High School campus. It's only open when the school is not in session but that is not the only bad issue. On Sundays when the school is locked up it's impossible to drop off your books since there is no drop off box outside of the school. A lot of ideas sound great on paper until you put it into practice.

Posted by William | reply to this comment
December 19, 2008 11:32 am

Scott, It is my understanding that in order to pass a bond measure with only 50% plus 1 of the vote, the ballot measure has to state specifically what the money will be spent on. I don't remember seeing any money being put aside for putting school rooms in the downtown library. Can you comment?

Posted by Theresa Quiroz | reply to this comment
December 19, 2008 12:32 pm

You are absolutely right about this, Theresa, but there are ways to circumvent such legalities in the form of State Legislature-approved dodges like "joint powers" agreements that effectively limit public voice on important matters. Keep your eyes open and look for chicanery to happen either in August when everyone's at the beach or in December during the holiday hiatus.

Posted by Fed Up | reply to this comment
December 20, 2008 9:57 am

Good point Theresa. I've already emailed the city attorney with this question and hope that all concerned taxpayers will do the same. I have serious questions about the legality of using prop s money to fund this asanine idea. The mayor seems to have no problem with that. I think that property owners have legitimate reasons to question the legality of this.

Posted by shawn | reply to this comment
December 20, 2008 11:59 pm

Any way we can add a stadium for the Chargers too?

Posted by Charger Fan | reply to this comment
December 19, 2008 3:57 pm

You are right on the mark, Scott. This library situation is so ridiculous that the only way to view it now is with humor. Somebody (and that would be the library proponents) has been smoking something funny. Why not just admit that the real purpose of this proposed edifice (both flabbergasting given the current financial state of affairs and beyond ludicrous as a piece of public art) is to serve as a day care facility for SD's homeless? That way the "library" can be customized to serve the every need of this clientele without needlessly continuing to pretend that it is to benefit the taxpayers.

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
December 19, 2008 7:55 pm

We can't fund existing libraries and there are still morons who want to build a new one? I think politicians just like to have big plaques with their names on them on the outside of buildings. What say we have the city use some eminent domain to take over all the unsold condominiums downtown, put big plaques with politicians' names on the outside of those buildings that say, "So-and-So Community Housing Included" with the percentage of units used, and house the homeless in them instead of building more shelters. It's time the city started funding what it needs instead of what the politicians and developers want. I live downtown, I'd like to see more money going into the central library for books and staff, and I'm tired of seeing the homeless sleeping on the streets near vacant and unsalable condos. Let's put sanity back in style!

Posted by Mark E. Smith | reply to this comment
December 20, 2008 9:16 am

We can't fund our libraries because our city is sooooo screwed up! Big bonuses and paychecks for SEDC, CCDC, Airport Authority, consultants and now as written in the Voice today....Audit Flags Debris Removal Problem. All these and more under the watchful eye of Sanders? Too bad his management doesn't work as hard at getting things write as his press secretary. So how's Sander's going to fix the problems under his watch? How is he going to get back the money that was wasted and carelessly dished out? I want to hear from him? Where is he? What's he got to say about all these messes under his watch?

Posted by Norman | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 7:49 am

Must you resort to name calling to abuse those who have their eyes open and see the reality of the national economic situation? Crying about how good libraries are for the kiddies is not sufficient when the city, the state and the nation are flat on their backs economically. Wait your turn. Someday the situation will rebound. THEN we can talk baubles and trinkets, which at the present time shouldn't even be given a moment's pause of consideration. It's a waste of time right now. Let's try and save the city first -- and, of course, that includes the library system in its entirety, benefitting all men, women and children. Doesn't that sound just a wee bit more reasonable?

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 6:09 pm

"Free money"??!! Right. That money came out of the wallet of some taxpayer, somewhere. Bonnie, either you don't understand that or you don't care. Try thinking of this great country of ours as one big boat. We are all in it together.

Posted by Edgar | reply to this comment
December 26, 2008 10:11 am

The only ones more excited about this plan than the library boosters are the 400 registered (and unregistered) sex offenders downtown. Many of whom are homeless and frequent the library. Some even live in front of it at night. They must be pretty excited the prey can be brought right to them.

Posted by Downtowner | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 6:47 pm

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