A new library was a political decision. The SDPL Library Board is advisory and it is the Mayor who has wanted a new library. Branches have been built but there has been little progress on the central library. The building site is adjacent to a new ballpark and the SD Padres are in litigation. The project cannot start until the litigation ends.
Costs are higher in California.
CPL had a design competition and the design that was liked best was not selected. The number of parking spaces needed should be determined by local factors such as availability of public transportation. SDPL included 200 public parking spaces. Houston has no parking. The parking fee raises significantly after the two-hours to discourage all day parking.