Council accepts $7 million philanthropic commitment to library project; staff to continue fundraising
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Summary
The council unanimously approved a resolution to accept a $7 million middleman fund grant toward a downtown library renovation; the city intends staged grant payments, additional fundraising and schematic design with public engagement as it pursues a roughly $16 million total project budget.
The Walla Walla City Council on Dec. 18 voted to accept a middleman fund grant committing $7,000,000 toward a planned downtown library project and authorized the city manager to execute the fund agreement.
City staff said the grant will be paid in staged installments tied to campaign and construction milestones. City Manager Chamberlain (Miss Chamberlain) said an initial $500,000 payment would be made on signature, with additional installments in July 2025 and later payments tied to construction timing. Chamberlain described the grant as a catalyst for the city's capital campaign; the city has already committed $1,000,000 in ARPA funds and expects a Commerce grant of roughly $2,000,000 pending project steps, putting a target project total near $16,000,000 when combined with the $6,000,000 the city still plans to raise.
Staff described schematic design work now under way and public engagement planned for February 2025 as the project moves from master-plan tasks (structural work, HVAC, roof trusses, meeting spaces) toward schematic design and eventual bid documents.
Farrell McFarland, an adjacent business owner, asked for robust public engagement during the design phase; staff said multiple public meetings are anticipated.
Council approved Resolution 2024-112 authorizing acceptance of the middleman fund grant unanimously.
What happens next: Staff will continue schematic design and public outreach, advance the capital campaign, and coordinate grant conditions with donors and Blue Mountain Community Foundation.
