On November 8, 2022, Moorhead voters approved a 0.5% local option sales tax that will be used to fund a new Community Center/Public Library. The final tally was 8,782 (64.37%) to 4,861 (35.63%).
“A new community center and public library will serve as the cornerstone of downtown redevelopment and give our citizens a gathering place and information space for generations to come,” said Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson. “I am thankful that our voters recognized the positive impact this project will have on our city and made their support known through their ‘YES’ votes. This will change the trajectory of the City for generations to come!”
A citizens task force appointed by Mayor Carlson developed some broad parameters for the project:
- A Community Center where people can gather and connect
- A Public Library to meet current/future information needs
- A place where ideas and dreams can take shape
- A central, downtown location
- Moorhead merchants and retailers will begin collecting the 0.5% city sales tax on April 1, 2023 (total sales tax of 7.875%, which includes the new tax). The new tax is projected to yield $1.6 million or more per year dedicated to construction of the community center/public library project. The city sales tax is projected to cost each Moorhead resident about $2 per month.
- Plans for the facility will become more detailed in 2023. The process to select a design professional for Architectural/Engineering Design Services for Moorhead Community Center/Public Library is under way.
Want to see what things could look like? In August 2022, JLG Architects released renderings showing what a possible new community center/public library might look like. Please see the slideshow below.
During public listening sessions, top resident requests included:
- Gathering/collaborative space
- Walking track
- Indoor play area
- Meeting place for all ages
- Coworker/maker hands-on learning spaces
- Greenspace/plants
The feedback from these citizen-input sessions led to the creation of the renderings from JLG.
You can find more information on the Local Option Sales Tax webpage and in the documents below.