Event Schedule for Grand Opening of The Loop

The City of Moorhead and the Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) are excited to announce the grand opening of The Loop, our community’s newest hub for learning, gathering, recreation, and innovation. The celebration will take place on Saturday, April 18, marking an important milestone for a project designed to bring people together in a modern, welcoming space and to celebrate the new home of the Moorhead Public Library within The Loop.

Located at the prominent intersection of 5 St and Center Ave, The Loop, designed by The Miller Hull Partnership in collaboration with JLG Architects, is a vibrant, 21st-century facility that includes a library, indoor playspace for youth and more, blending comfort, creativity, and connection. The public is invited to join in a celebration of this exciting moment. 

Event Details:

• Ribbon Cutting: 9:45am on Center Ave and 5 St
• Grand Opening: Immediately following ribbon cutting
• Building Hours for Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Josh Madson Community Collage Photoshoot: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
• Spark Center: Explore the co-working space, check out free reservable meeting rooms, and get a preview of upcoming workshops and events. Add your ideas to our community idea wall and connect with fellow entrepreneurs, creatives, and big thinkers. We’d love to meet you.
• Minnesota Public Radio will help celebrate with a take-home bookmark craft- come make a custom bookmark to take home with your library books!

Key Features of The Loop Include:

• Walking Loop: A 1/8-mile indoor walking path that wraps visitors in a “warm wood hug.” Natural light, sculptural wood railings, and views of downtown Moorhead and the Red River make it an inviting place for movement, mindfulness, and year-round wellness.

• Spark Center for Entrepreneurship: The Spark Center offers free co-working space, fireside chats with founders, practical workshops, and a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and small business owners. It’s designed to strengthen Moorhead’s innovation community through collaboration and accessible resources.

• Children’s Library & Play Space: This bright, kid-focused area on the second floor features low shelves, cozy reading nooks, an activity corner, platform climbers, interactive wall panels, and a toddler zone, creating a free, playful space families will love.

• Community Spaces:
  • Presentation Hall for virtual and in-person events
  • Fireside Commons for relaxed reading and small gatherings
  • Community Loft with tables, games, and direct access to the walking loop and outdoor playground

• Sustainable Design: The Loop incorporates environmentally responsible design strategies to create a healthy, efficient civic space that will serve Moorhead for generations. The project is targeting LEED Silver certification and is designed as an all-electric building with infrastructure ready for full photovoltaic and battery storage integration, an outcome of a project-based resilience workshop. Regionally sourced wood is used throughout, including the dowel-laminated mass timber roof structure and wood guardrail system, helping reduce embodied carbon. The building also features a high-performance envelope with triple-pane glazing and low-flow fixtures to reduce water use. A materials approach prioritizes healthier products and avoids prevalent chemicals of concern to support improved indoor air quality.

“The Loop is more than a building, it’s a community connector,” said Mayor Shelly Carlson. “Whether you’re here to learn, relax, start a business, or simply walk with a view, this space invites everyone to participate.”

Residents of all ages are invited to join the Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, April 18, explore the building, meet staff, and experience The Loop’s many amenities.

The Loop is located at 450 Center Ave, Moorhead.