New North

• The population of the northern part of the library’s service area has grown tremendously since the North Branch opened in 2001. In fact Macomb Township’s population has increased by 72% (36,473 residents) since that time and continues to grow. By 2025 Macomb Township is expected to exceed 90,000 residents. The vacant land available for future growth is mainly in the northeastern portion of the township.
• The current North Branch has been very successful averaging 10,000 visits per month but has outgrown its space.
• We have added the maximum number of shelving units without beginning to remove study tables that are already in short supply. For each item added to the collection we have to remove one to create space. The North Branch is now the smallest and oldest of the library’s three locations.
• As part of the 2014 millage request the Library Board promised voters that it would expand North Branch services including a drive-up item return, group study rooms, separate children’s program room, quiet study room, and early literacy stations. This decision is keeping in line with CMPL’s 26-year commitment of, “promises made, promises kept.”
• The current building was originally designed for medical offices which creates challenges to expanding it as a library. The entire building would have to be remodeled at an estimated cost of $5.5M and then the parking would still not be suitable for the traffic a larger library would generate.
• The library has always been part of Macomb Township’s vision of a vibrant Town Center and will build synergy with the highly popular Recreation Center building.

The current North Branch is 14,000 square feet. The new North Branch will be 28,091 square feet.

54100 Broughton Road, on a 7.581 acre site.

The dedication and grand opening will take place September 19, 2021 at 2 p.m.

$18.5 million, funded by bonds paid from the library’s operating millage.

No. CMPL pays for all expenses—including bond debt service for construction projects—out of its operating fund. The 2014 millage request increased the level of funding for the library system, in part to be able to expand North Branch services.

Inspiration for the design of the building came from Monticello, the Library of Congress, the Cranbrook Institute of Science, and numerous Carnegie libraries typical of the architectural era that Macomb Township is attempting to recall. Materials, colors and design elements were selected to harmonize with the other two municipal buildings and to ensure proper proportions and contextual appropriateness to the Town Center. Quinn Evans is a nationally renowned architectural firm with an extensive portfolio that includes numerous public library and landmark historical building projects such as the Michigan state capitol and Michigan Central Station Train Depot.

It will offer everything that we have at the current North Branch plus:

• three large and six small study rooms
• a dedicated creative/story time room
• quiet study room
• drive-up return and pick-up services
• more shelving for books and other library materials

No. This is intended to be a full-service branch library. There is no need to duplicate administrative, IT, HR, facilities and other functions which is one of the major benefits of the voluntary district library partnership between Macomb Township and Clinton Township.

The North Branch building at 16800 24 Mile Road is available for sale. Please contact Al Iafrate at (248) 637-9700 for further information.