Porterville City Council approves $22M library project on Olive Avenue after six years of delays due to financial challenges
Porterville City Council Approves New Library Plans
PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) — The Porterville City Council has approved plans for a 16,000-square-foot library on Olive Avenue. This decision has taken six years to finalize.
The council voted 4-1 in favor of the project during a recent meeting.
Mayor Greg Meister and councilmembers mentioned the city’s finances and economic challenges as reasons for the long delay.
“It’s very creative in a very challenging environment and many years of changes, and so I can understand the frustration with the public, but I think this is a good product,” said Vice Mayor Ed McKervey.
The project will cost $22 million.
“The new layout will ensure that the most essential programmatic elements can be delivered while maintaining flexibility for future expansion as additional funding becomes available,” stated project manager Sarah Weaver.
Since 2022, the community has used a temporary library near Olive and Main streets. This temporary library offers about 40,000 books and computer access.
While residents appreciate the space, many believe a permanent facility is long overdue.
“As a Porterville resident who grew up going to the old library and has a strong love of books, I am very excited that we are getting a new library,” said Lexi, a local resident.
Meister noted that the library is part of a larger vision for the area.
“It’s really exciting when we get to the Santa Fe sports complex, that is going to be right behind this library. This area is going to be a hotspot in town,” Meister said.
Project Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Olive Avenue, Porterville, CA |
| Size | 16,000 square feet |
| Cost | $22 million |
| Vote Result | 4-1 in favor |
| Temporary Library | Near Olive and Main streets |
| Books Available | About 40,000 |
