Construction Begins On 25,000-Square-Foot French Valley Library

FRENCH VALLEY, CA — The long-awaited groundbreaking for a library in French Valley takes place Friday at 1 p.m., and Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington — who pushed for the project and will be at the ceremony — will see a three-year dream come true.

Washington began advocating for the library in 2016. Now, the planned 25,000-square-foot French Valley Library will occupy a 2.6- acre parcel at Skyview and Winchester roads.

"The central location of this new library in the French Valley community will be valuable for everyone, no matter your age," Washington said. "Every time I take my grandkids to the library, I think, 'I'm just as excited as they are.'"

The edifice, which is slated for completion in the first half of 2021, will feature large collection spaces for books and multi-media materials, designated kids' learning zones, group study rooms, computer tables with charging stations and places for pop-up exhibits on a rotating basis, according to the Economic Development Agency.

"The libraries of the 21st century have become essential resource centers with specialized programs for students, seniors, veterans, business owners, jobseekers and more," Washington said. "When a library is built, the entire community benefits."

In April, the Board of Supervisors approved three additional branches within the Riverside County Library System. Construction of the French Valley Library is expected to coincide with similar projects in Desert Hot Springs and Menifee.

The projects will be funded via a maximum $50 million bond float.

The county formed a public-private partnership with real estate developer Omni West Group Inc. to build the libraries.

A 15,000-square-foot branch is envisioned on a 13-acre parcel at Palm Drive and Park Lane in Desert Hot Springs, replacing the 3,527-square-foot repository at 11691 West Drive, and in Menifee, the EDA wants to construct a 20,000-square-foot library on a five-acre parcel at La Piedra and Menifee roads to complement smaller branches at 26001 Briggs Road and 26982 Cherry Hills Road.

—City News Service contributed to this report.