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 library trustees and the foundation reviewed earlier versions; the city modified insurance language so that the city will maintain general liability insurance at $2,000,000 per occurrence for the duration of the project.

Mayor Pro Tem Robert (Bob) Delves and city staff described how the final agreement splits responsibilities while creating multiple formal “go/no‑go” decision points so the council can review and approve major construction phases. Council members and foundation representatives said that donors have committed seed funding and that the foundation intends to raise the remainder privately without asking the city to finance the construction directly.

The council’s packet and staff presentation said the library is a city department governed by a Library Board of Trustees and that the Foundation—established in 1989—has funded prior projects including the Gathering Place and park branch improvements. The Foundation’s board of directors and the Library Board of Trustees both voted to forward the draft agreement to the council. The council also noted the agreement will include language covering relocation costs should temporary library relocation be necessary during construction.

Public comment at the meeting included multiple statements of support from foundation board members and former board presidents, who emphasized donor commitments, the building’s cultural importance and the goal of finishing work for the library’s 2028 centennial. Foundation president Marcy Moe said the foundation would raise the necessary funds and asked the council to approve the agreement so the project can proceed.

What happens next: staff and the foundation will finalize limited edits, including finalizing Exhibit material that describes historic attribution and other attachments; the architect agreement will be returned to the Library Board of Trustees for review before the council acts on the architect contract. The council directed staff to report back on any substantive contract edits before execution.

Council action and vote: The council adopted Resolution 2025‑0033, approving the draft agreement with the Carmel Public Library Foundation and authorizing the mayor to execute the agreement. Roll call: Council member Barron – Yes; Council member Booter – Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Delves – Yes; Council member Dramoff – Yes; Mayor Byrne – Yes.

Why it matters: The agreement formalizes a plan to restore and upgrade a nearly‑century‑old civic building with private fundraising while keeping key approvals and oversight within city processes. The project touches historic preservation, accessibility and seismic safety and will shape downtown civic space for decades.

Ending: The council’s approval lets staff and the foundation move to finalize the architect contract and begin the fundraising and construction procurement steps necessary to meet the project timeline leading to the library’s 2028 centennial.