Moorhead Celebrates Grand Opening of The Loop, New Library

The multi-purpose building is designed to serve as a community hub for decades to come.

MOORHEAD, MN (KVRR) – There was a sense of triumph in the air outside the building on Center Avenue in Moorhead on the morning of April 18.

“This is a library of the twenty-first century,” said Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson.

The Loop – a building so named for its indoor walking track, and so long in construction and development – was finally completed and ready for the public to admire and enjoy.

“The first time I walked through the doors, I really got choked up,” said Carlson.

Mayor Carlson says the space, which is the new home of the Moorhead Public Library and the Spark Center, represents a huge step forward in the downtown development of the city.

Senator Tina Smith was in attendance, and marveled at how federal funds her and Senator Amy Klobuchar had worked to obtain had been put to such great use.

“I remember coming to Moorhead many, many years ago, and having local leaders show me around downtown and explain to me the vision for how this could be a center for arts and culture and restaurants and small business,” she said, “and now this library is really the anchor tenant in that project.”

All involved with The Loop’s creation said they look forward to seeing how its many useful spaces – like the indoor children’s playground and free-to-rent co-working areas – turn this beautiful building into a true hub for the community.

Library staff added that in just the two weeks the library had been soft-launched, they had already signed up 300 new people for library cards.