City approves draft agreement with Carmel Public Library Foundation for Harrison Memorial Library restoration

The Carmel City Council on April 1 adopted a resolution approving a draft agreement with the Carmel Public Library Foundation to move forward with the Harrison Memorial Library Centennial Restoration Project, and authorized the mayor to execute the agreement.

The action formalizes a public‑private partnership in which the foundation will raise and provide the majority of funds needed for seismic, accessibility and systems upgrades to the 1928 library, while the city will retain project oversight and responsibility for final approvals. The council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2025‑0033.

City staff and Foundation leaders told the council the project cost is currently estimated in the range of $15–$20 million, and that three separate city contracts will be needed: (1) an agreement between the foundation and the city, (2) an architect agreement and (3) a construction contract. City attorney and staff reported clarifying edits to the draft agreement after…