City to build new North Sacramento library. Why did it take 4 years?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Council to approve about $7M construction contract for North Sacramento library
- City bought 19,100 sqft former News & Review building in 2021 for $3M
- Funding from California State Library grant and Measure U sales tax enabled design
More than four years after buying the building, the city is expected to begin construction on a new library in North Sacramento.
The Sacramento City Council will likely approve the library’s construction contract for about $7 million at its Tuesday meeting. The library will replace the current North Sacramento Hagginwood library branch, located at 2109 Del Paso Blvd.
Tuesday’s vote comes more than four years after the city bought the building, formerly home of the Sacramento News & Review, for the new library. The purchase of the 19,100-square-foot building, which cost $3 million, was intended to provide more space and parking.
In a written statement on Thursday, city spokesperson Gabby Miller said there were insufficient funds to design and construct the library when Sacramento bought the building in July 2021. Most of the funding will now come from a California State Library grant.
Measure U sales tax revenue, which voters approved in 2018, has gone to funding the new library, according to previous Bee reporting.
“With funding in place, the project progressed through the design phase and the building permit process,” Miller said in the statement.
In August 2022, the city hired PBK Architects to create design renderings and obtain building permits. Last April, the city issued requests for qualifications to find a contractor for the project.
City staff is now recommending that the construction contract be given to Otto Construction, which was the lowest of five bidders. Per the proposed contract, work on the building must start within 15 days and be completed within 270 days. The contract is listed on the City Council’s consent calendar, a practice typically reserved for non-controversial agenda items that don’t require much discussion.
Miller did not immediately answer when asked when the new library would open. The new space is expected to have a maker space with 3D printing, an early learning space and community room.
The Sacramento News & Review had occupied the building, located at 1124 Del Paso Blvd., from 2009 to until 2020 when COVID-19 pandemic led employees to begin working remotely. The publication has remained online-only since.
This story was originally published October 2, 2025 at 2:45 PM.
