MOORHEAD, M.N. – November 12, 2026 – JLG Architects, in collaboration with The Miller Hull Partnership and the City of Moorhead, is celebrating an AIA Minnesota Honor Award—in the Architecture category—for the design of the Moorhead Community Center & Public Library (MCCPL) in The Loop. All three united as session presenters at the A’26 MN Conference on November 9, 2026, sharing how Downtown Moorhead transformed an aging mall property into a bright and healthy destination to live, learn, and gather.
Earlier this fall, the project additionally earned an Honor Award from the AIA (American Institute of Architects) North Dakota chapter.
Moorhead Community Center & Public Library | Moorhead, MN
Moorhead Community Center & Public Library held its grand opening on April 18, 2026, marking the completion of the first phase of downtown redevelopment, designed by JLG Architects, The Miller Hull Partnership, and the City of Moorhead.
Just over six months after its April 2026 grand opening, MCCPL noted that 50% of Moorhead residents now have a library card. Other confirmed success metrics include:
- 3,233 Library card registrations — a 141% increase over last year
- Physical items checked out: 117,256 — a 41% increase over last year
- Digital items checked out: 71,703 — a 19% increase over last year
Led by Downtown Moorhead, Inc., the team’s vision was to create a walkable, vibrant, and active downtown Moorhead while leveraging its Red River location. Within a planning partnership, JLG and Stantec led the visioning process, presenting concept renderings of a revitalized downtown, including nine blocks of two- to six-story buildings surrounding a public plaza that connects to walkable amenities. One of the most prominent structures planned to branch from the public plaza was the new Moorhead Community Center & Public Library, just steps from Moorhead’s City Hall.
Pivotal to the project, JLG worked with local stakeholders and the Mayor’s task force to create the 2021 “Yes! 56560” campaign, which engaged community members, City leaders, and local college students in listening sessions via town halls, open houses, public gatherings, and campus conversations. In late 2022, after a successful citywide campaign, Moorhead voters demonstrated support for downtown revitalization by approving a 0.5 percent sales tax increase to support funding the project.
Today, MCCPL’s “All Under One Roof” design has forged a 46,000-square-foot destination that not only creates space for the Moorhead Public Library but also serves as the headquarters for the Lake Agassiz Regional Library offices. Beyond traditional library offerings, it’s designed to invite gathering via community program rooms, The Spark co-working center for entrepreneurship, an indoor play area, and a suspended walking loop, which was an amenity identified as important to the community.
The elevated walking loop wraps the perimeter on the second floor and overhangs onto the first floor on the exterior, providing natural, integrated solar protection. The interior planning highlights an exposed wood roof deck that unifies the building with warm, indoor-outdoor connections and views to the vibrancy of the community and natural landscape of the Red River corridor.
The project is pursuing LEED Silver certification by eliminating “Chemicals of Concern” and maximizing natural daylight and GWP reduction, including all-electric heating systems, sunshades, low-flow fixtures, PV-ready design, and regionally sourced materials.
Beyond the City of Moorhead, JLG Architects, and The Miller Hull Partnership, project partners includedMcGough Construction, CMTA, Inc., Heyer Engineering, Stantec Consulting Services, Braun Intertec, Mayer/Reed, Commercial Recreation Specialists, Kraemer Design + Production, and Tenor.
Downtown Redevelopment, City Hall Revitalization
Removal of the Library site’s aging Moorhead Center Mall parcel repositioned City Hall as the epicenter of downtown redevelopment. JLG recently completed the City Hall’s 45,525-square-foot restoration, which preserved its heirloom vibrancy while reimagining its Mid-century cube form on the banks of the Red River. Renovations were focused on strengthening its role as the community’s building, with direct connections to a new outdoor plaza and the new Library.
“After nearly a decade of planning, community engagement, and collaboration, it’s exciting to see this vision for Downtown Moorhead take shape,” said JLG Architects’ Principal Architect Rob Remark, AIA. “From the new Moorhead Community Center & Public Library to the revitalized City Hall and plaza, these connected spaces create a more walkable downtown where people can live, learn, and gather. It was worth the wait, and this redevelopment sets the stage for downtown’s continued growth.”
Take the AIA Tour!
AIA Northern Minnesota is hosting an official tour of the Moorhead Community Center & Public Library on Friday, November 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Registration details are available via AIA Minnesota.
