A plan to build a nine-story central library at Park Boulevard and J Street moved one step closer to fruition April 30 when the builder agreed to proceed with the project at the same cost it had originally estimated in 2005.

When library and city officials met with Turner Construction about the project in 2005, the company estimated expenses of $145 million for construction and approximately $40 million for architecture and engineering fees, furniture and fixtures. The City Council declined to approve the project until the library system had secured enough funding to build the new facility, said Marion Moss Hubbard, San Diego Public Library’s public information officer.

Since that time, the library has garnered approximately $148.5 million from several sources: $80 million from the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC), $28.5 million from San Diego Public Library Foundation, $20 million from California State Library and $20 million from the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), which is part of a 40-year lease agreement for a charter school that will be housed on the new facility’s sixth and seventh floors, Moss Hubbard said.

                                        

Encanto artist Roman de Salvo has been selected to provide a public work of art as part of the Unified Port of San Diego’s upcoming Ruocco Park, scheduled for construction in 2011 along the waterfront between Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway.

Still in the early stages of his design for the piece, de Salvo said he’s spent the last month researching this “dream project.”

“It is exactly the kind of thing for an artist of my sensibility, and to get this one is really what my purpose is as an artist,” de Salvo said. “I see it as an opportunity to bring my imagination and innovative sensibility and inspiration, and infuse that into this park … Hopefully it will be a delight for the citizenry.”

                                        

Ingrid Croce displays “Anthology,” her latest book. Photo by Paul Hansen

Recently, Ingrid published a new, 190-page book, “Anthology,” detailing the stories behind 40 of Jim Croce’s best-loved tunes. With full music and lyrics included, and lots of rare photographs, it’s the ultimate book for Croce aficionados.

Though “Anthology” was only recently issued by music publishing giant Hal Leonard, the seeds of the project go back more than 30 years to Ingrid’s days on the East Coast folk circuit. Listening to other performers made her realize there were two tales within a piece of music: “Not just in the song, but also about how the song was written. I always thought this would be interesting to others,” she said.

The opening of Croce’s 25 years ago confirmed that thought.

“Over the years, people came up and told me things like, ‘I’ve always loved this song, what did he write it about?’”