Council approves Moore Ruble Yudell to design Harrison Memorial Library centennial restoration

The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council on July 1 adopted a resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute a professional services agreement with Moore Ruble Udell (MRU) to lead the Centennial Restoration of the Harrison Memorial Library.

Council discussed the proposed agreement at length before the vote, focusing on schedule and scope. The contract divides the architect’s work into three phases — schematic and conceptual design with community engagement (Phase 1), design development and construction documents (Phase 2), and construction support (Phase 3). Staff reported fixed-phase fees totaling roughly $2.2 million and noted additional compensation could accrue for supplemental or optional services preapproved in the contract exhibits.

Library foundation leaders told council the Harrison Memorial Library Foundation will fund architectural services and reported the foundation has already raised $8.8 million toward the project. Foundation representatives stressed the project’s goal of preserving the library’s historic character while updating systems and accessibility for the next 100 years. Buzz Udell of Moore Ruble Udell described the firm’s experience with historic library restorations, including a recent restoration at UCLA’s Powell Library, and said the firm would front‑load community engagement to inform early design decisions.

City staff requested a technical revision to the architect’s proposed schedule (Exhibit D) to reflect a July 2025 mobilization date rather than an earlier date in the firm’s proposal; architects and the foundation confirmed their agreement to the schedule change on the record before the vote.

After public comments from library supporters and letters from preservation advocates, council voted unanimously in roll call to approve the resolution. Mayor Byrne said the vote opens a heavily collaborative phase that will advance design and fundraising in parallel.

Why it matters: the library is a city‑owned historic facility at the center of Carmel’s downtown. The council-approved memorandum of agreement and the architect contract together create the project structure: the foundation will fund the restoration while the city retains construction permitting authority and overall project delivery responsibility. Council and foundation representatives said they intend a highly collaborative outreach program with frequent public opportunities to review design options.

What’s next: the architect will submit the revised project schedule (Exhibit D) and begin community engagement and schematic design. Staff said council will see regular updates and public outreach events as the project advances into detailed design and eventual construction contracting.