Restoration of Harrison Memorial Library begins after city approval

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. (KION-TV) - Carmel-by-the-Sea has approved a contract to help restore the Harrison Memorial Library in time for its centennial in 2028.

The $17.5 million Centennial Restoration of the Harrison Memorial will restore the building, with Moore Ruble Yudell Architects garnering the contract for the project.

For the restoration, the library will get full ADA accessibility, seismic and life-safety system enhancements, modern technology, and a revitalized interior. The project will also preserve the library's look and style.

President of the Carmel Public Library Foundation, Marci Meaux, spoke on how the library is more than a building.

“It is a cornerstone of our community’s literary, artistic, and intellectual identity. In the spirit of Andrew Carnegie, who personally funded the construction of thousands of public libraries, a library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people," said Meaux.

$8.8 million has already been committed to the schematic design with the campaign for the project having received 34 major gifts from $10,000 to $5 million.