Burbank Council Selects Team for New Library Project

Clark Construction and SOM were chosen to design and build a new library and public plaza at 301 E. Olive Avenue.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Construction

Burbank Council Selects Team for New Library Project

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The Burbank City Council has officially selected Clark Construction and SOM as the design-build team for a new library and plaza complex. The development will replace existing civic parking and buildings while creating a hub for library services and community events.

Why it matters

The decision marks a significant step forward for a municipal goal that has remained a priority for Burbank since the late 1990s. The new facility is designed to modernize city infrastructure and consolidate services in a central location.

The planned 97,500-square-foot building will include a 310-car garage and 43,000 square feet of public open space. The project site is located at 301 E. Olive Avenue.

The players

Burbank City Council

This is the governing body for the city of Burbank responsible for legislative decisions and city infrastructure projects.

Clark Construction

This is a national construction services firm known for delivering large-scale public and commercial infrastructure projects.

SOM

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is an internationally recognized architecture and engineering firm specializing in complex urban developments.

The details

The upcoming development will house library services, city offices, and various community spaces, though the Community Services Building will remain in its current location. The project aims to transform the civic area into a integrated space for public use.

Late 1990s: The city first began envisioning a new central library.
October 13, 2026: The Burbank City Council voted to approve the design-build team.
Fall 2026: The design process for the project is scheduled to commence.
Summer 2027: Construction is projected to start on the site.
Spring 2029: The library and open space are expected to open to the public.

Market Landscape

This project represents a major capital investment by the city to modernize civic infrastructure and improve public access to city services. It reflects a broader trend of municipalities consolidating library and government functions into mixed-use central plazas.

Residents can expect improved access to modern library services and public open space once the project is completed in 2029. The site development will reorganize the existing civic parking and infrastructure to better serve the community.

The takeaway

This project represents the culmination of decades of municipal planning to revitalize the city's library services. Residents should stay informed about upcoming public design workshops to see how the new plaza will integrate into the existing civic footprint.

What happens next

The design process is set to begin in Fall 2026, followed by the start of construction in Summer 2027 and the anticipated project opening in Spring 2029.