Mayor John Delaney broke ground on the San Marco Branch Library renovation project and the new Balis Community Center Tuesday. With the ceremonial first scoop of dirt, the first of 12 library improvement projects under the Better Jacksonville Plan was launched. Roughly 100 people celebrated the commencement of the $1.8 million project funded by Plan money and a donation by the Balis family, long-time San Marco residents.
Delaney promised a speedy turnaround for the library, which closed March 23.
“By this time next year, folks will be able to bring their kids to check out books and log on to one of 36 computers, which will be a vast improvement over the current eight,” said Delaney. “I go out of office June 30 next year. It will be done before that. I guarantee you that.”
The renovations will expand the library from 7,540 square feet to 11,440 square feet. The Balis Community Center will be 2,300 square feet, enough to accommodate 175 people.