The state’s Building Forward Library Improvement Grant Program has awarded the Chinatown/Him Mark Lai Branch of the San Francisco Public Library nearly $8 million for renovation; an additional $5.2 million was awarded to the Mission Branch.
The money will go to service improvements and upgraded HVAC systems, and solar energy systems will be either upgraded (Chinatown Branch) or installed (Mission Branch).
Total costs for the Chinatown/Him Mark Lai renovation is expected to be $29.4 million and will include repairs to terra cotta decorations, restoration of the historic main reading room, removal of the mezzanine, addition of a staircase and expansion of its community meeting room.
“We are grateful for these additional state funds that will keep the long-awaited renovation of this 100-year-old, heavily used, historic library on track,” said District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin. He said his office would work on the library’s temporary relocation so it can continue service without interruption during the construction.
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