The city of Livonia, Michigan, is seeking a private partner to redevelop the Alfred Noble Library, which has been vacant for six years. The city is turning to a public-private partnership (P3) model for the project after scrapping plans to demolish the structure, stating it cannot fund the renovations on its own.
The city issued a request for proposals (RFP) late last month. Under the arrangement the city describes, Livonia would retain ownership of the land and the building, while the private partner assumes responsibility for renovation and ongoing maintenance costs. The city has asked that the exterior mid-century style be preserved if possible.
The Alfred Noble Library has been vacant since 2019, when it closed over mold and safety concerns. A full assessment in 2025 identified interior water damage and mold, while the city has said repair and renovation costs run into the millions.
The city has outlined what it wants from the site, which is a space that stays accessible, supports continuing programs, can sustain itself long term and respects the building’s historic character. Community members have offered ideas for development, including a community center, activity center or a mixture of both featuring a cafe and play area for children.
The effort stems from a task force created by Livonia Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan in December 2025, meant to study the building’s potential reuse. The group of community members conducted research on the building’s history, conditions and comparable development projects, while also soliciting input from the public.
The library sits directly across from Shelden Park, which is currently under construction. The park received about $5 million from the city and will include sporting facilities, a splash pad, water slide and playground. Officials have noted that prospective partners should consider the new park as a draw for whatever the library is developed into.
Responses to the RFP are due July 17. After the window closes, the task force will review the proposals, provide feedback and recommend a path forward to the mayor and the City Council. In the meantime, the team is also tasked with identifying fundraising opportunities to help both near-term activation and long-term development.
Photo by Vladimir Srajber from Pexels
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