Burbank City Council Approves Progressive Design-Build Contract for New Library and Civic Center Project

New civic and cultural destination will bring modern library facilities, creative spaces and community amenities to Downtown

Burbank, CA (October 14, 2026) – The Burbank City Council has adopted a resolution approving a progressive design-build contract with Clark Construction Group – California, LP for the New Burbank Library and Civic Center Project, marking a major milestone in the City's efforts to transform Downtown Burbank into a modern civic and cultural destination. The project will replace aging civic facilities, including the Central Library, built in 1963, with a new library and civic center building, parking structure and public open spaces that bring together library services, City offices, educational resources, cultural programming and community gathering areas in the heart of Downtown Burbank.

More than a traditional library, the new facility is envisioned as a destination offering residents of all ages new opportunities for learning, creativity and collaboration. Planned amenities include library spaces for children, teens, adults and seniors; co-working and multipurpose rooms; a flexible auditorium; a maker space; a media lab; a music recording studio; a teaching kitchen; and a café. The project will also feature a rooftop event space, modern City offices, a new parking structure with electric vehicle charging stations, and outdoor amenities including a public plaza, event lawn and outdoor reading area.

Together, these improvements will support educational programs, cultural activities, community events and access to City services, while creating new public gathering spaces that contribute to the continued growth and revitalization of Downtown Burbank.

Clark Construction Group will lead the project, with internationally recognized architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) serving as its design partner. The project will utilize a progressive design-build approach, bringing design and construction professionals together early in the process to coordinate the project's scope, cost and schedule while allowing the City to maintain active oversight throughout development.

“Libraries have always been more than books. They're places where we learn, gather and connect with one another. As a former library board member and longtime library volunteer, I'm thrilled that this project will give Burbank a true community hub in the heart of downtown, shaped by the priorities our community shared with us,” said Burbank Mayor Tamala Takahashi.

The project is expected to be funded through a combination of available City infrastructure funds, grant funds, and bond financing. In 2018, Burbank voters approved Measure P, a local transactions and use tax, half of which is dedicated to fund infrastructure, which renewed the City's ability to advance long-standing priorities including the Civic Center and Central Library. The project has an established design and construction cost limit of $155 million, with any increase requiring City Council approval. The City currently has sufficient funding budgeted for the initial design phase. Once the final project scope and Guaranteed Maximum Price are established, the City plans to issue a lease revenue bond to finance construction, with annual debt service paid through the Municipal Infrastructure Fund. The final Guaranteed Maximum Price and financing plan will return to the City Council for approval before the main construction phase begins.

Before any construction work begins, Clark Construction Group is required to negotiate and enter into a project-specific project labor agreement (PLA) with the trade councils that includes a no-strike clause and local hire provisions. City staff will return to the City Council in January 2027 with an update on Project Design, as well as the details of the final PLA.  

Community input has played an important role in the project's development. Through extensive public outreach conducted from fall 2025 through spring 2026, the City gathered feedback from residents, businesses and community organizations to identify priorities for the new facility. That input informed the project's planned amenities and programming, helping ensure the new library and civic center reflects the needs and interests of the Burbank community.

With the progressive design-build team selected, initial design work is expected to begin in fall 2026, followed by construction in summer 2027 and anticipated completion in spring 2029.

For more information about the New Burbank Library and Civic Center Project, visit https://newburbanklibrary.com/.

###