Burbank Central Library and Public Plaza Project
The City of Burbank is planning for a prospective
new Burbank Central Library and Public Plaza,
and we need the community’s input.
Stay in touch! Sign up to receive project updates
and check back here for details on upcoming events!
You can also fill out a comment form and share your thoughts with the project team!
About the Project
The City of Burbank is exploring plans for a proposed new Central Library and Public Plaza that would modernize public services and create a vibrant civic space for the community. The project would replace the current Central Library building, originally built in 1963, with a new facility designed to meet the needs of today’s residents while remaining flexible for the future.
A future Burbank Central Library and Public Plaza is envisioned as a transformative opportunity to support community needs while strengthening downtown Burbank as a thriving civic destination. The project would bring together several key elements on one site, including a new library, city office space, a public plaza and open space, and a parking structure designed to support visitors to the area.
Preliminary concepts explore a roughly 97,500-square-foot building that could house the library and city offices, along with a parking structure with approximately 310 spaces and about 43,000 square feet of outdoor public space designed for gatherings, events, and everyday community use. The new library would provide modern spaces that support education, workforce development, technology access, cultural programming, and opportunities for collaboration and learning.
Planning concepts also focus on improving the pedestrian experience around the site. Early design ideas explore walkable connections between nearby civic buildings, landscaped open areas, and a welcoming public plaza where residents can gather, attend events, or simply spend time downtown.
The project would also replace the Administrative Services Building offices in downtown Burbank, creating a more cohesive civic center that better serves residents while improving accessibility to city services.
The City of Burbank has been awarded a $9.95 million grant from the California State Library to support the development of a new, modern Central Library. These funds will help support building features that promote sustainability, accessibility, and resilience.
While the original 2022 Housing Element of the Burbank 2035 General Plan explored the possibility of housing on the same block as the future library, housing is no longer being considered as part of this project. The block would contain only the existing Community Services Building and the proposed Central Library and Public Plaza, creating a focused civic space dedicated to learning, connection, and community use.
Community outreach for the project began in October 2025 and continues into 2026. Community input will play an important role in guiding future decisions as the project moves forward. Residents are encouraged to stay engaged and share their ideas to help ensure that the future Central Library and Public Plaza reflects the needs and aspirations of the Burbank community for generations to come.
For the latest project updates and information about upcoming community engagement opportunities, see the recent City Council Study Session, presented on March 10, 2026. Presentation slides from the Study Session are available here.
You can explore this website to learn more details about the proposed New Burbank Central Library & Public Plaza Project.
Request for Qualifications:
Progressive Design Build Team for Proposed New Central Library and Civic Center
The City of Burbank has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking a Progressive Design Build Team for the proposed New Burbank Central Library and Civic Center project.
The RFQ invites qualified firms to submit their qualifications to provide progressive design build services for the highly anticipated civic project, which will help shape the future of library and civic services in Burbank.
The Request for Qualifications notice is available through PlanetBids at vendors.planetbids.com/portal/14210/bo/bo-detail/141945.
During the solicitation period, Cliff Chroust shall serve as the City’s sole point of contact for all matters related to this solicitation. Mr. Chroust can be reached at cchroust@burbankca.gov or (818) 238-5450.
Respondents shall not contact, either directly or indirectly, any other City officers, employees, agents, Board or Commission members, consultants, or representatives regarding this solicitation. Unauthorized contact with City personnel other than Mr. Chroust may result in disqualification of the respondent at the sole discretion of the City.
A mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, at 10:00 a.m. at Buena Vista Branch Library. Attendance is required for those planning on submitting a Statement of Qualifications.