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Photos: South San Francisco unveils new Library, Parks and Recreation Center

Calling it the “crown jewel of the city’s new Civic Community Campus,” South San Francisco Mayor Buenaflor Nicolas helped unveil a gleaming new three-story Library and Parks and Recreation Center during a grand opening ceremony Saturday.

When the ribbon was cut, hundreds of South San Franciscans spilled in to see the 83,000-square-foot structure. It was built largely with their tax money collected after Measure W was passed in 2015, adding a half-cent to the sales tax.

Visitors were greeted in the front lobby by an illuminated floor-to ceiling photograph of the city’s famous “Industrial City” sign. The actual sign, still on the flank of San Bruno Mountain, was repainted last month in celebrating of its centennial year. (Fun fact: According to Joshua Richardson, the city’s parks manager, it takes 10 gallons of paint to cover one single letter).

Former Rep. Jackie Speier, who grew up in the peninsula town, spoke at the ceremony recalling hours spent at the old Library on Grand Avenue. “I still remember the thrill of sneaking into the adult section of the library,” she told the crowd.

Speier did not have to sneak around the library this time: A section of the multi-level library is now dedicated in her name.