City Council meeting on Tuesday, 7/14

Exciting news! On Tuesday, July 14, the Irvine City Council moved one step closer to the Great Park Library! They voted unanimously to allow the city to develop a formal partnership agreement (MOU) with the Friends of the Great Park Library. This gives the Friends a seat at the table to support and shape the future library.

We’re delighted with this vote. With an MOU in place, we can begin supporting library services right away, such as funding author visits, literacy programs, cultural events, and community performances.

Every program we help bring to life, every family we bring to our events, strengthens our library system today while building momentum toward the flagship library of tomorrow.

What's happened so far in 2026?

  • Feb 4: Community & Library Services Commission discussed a Library Subcommittee to assist the Master Plan process. It was voted down.

  • Feb 10: City Council Meeting: Voted an approved the creation of a Library Advisory Committee. Staff to return with a plan in 60 days.

  • Mar - Apr 20: Community Events: the City of Irvine and architecture firm Johnson Favro held conceptual design meetings to share and update the public on the planned Great Park Main Library.

  • July 14: City Council Meeting: Voted to adopt the framework of the Library Advisory Committee; Bylaws to be reviewed again in the next meeting. Voted unanimously to allow the city to develop a formal partnership agreement (MOU) with the Friends of the Great Park Library.

Quick Talking Points:

  • Current plan for the Main Library at Great Park is not budgeted until AFTER 2036!

  • Let’s raise awareness for the City Council that a new library building is urgently needed in this growing part of the city.

  • Help us spread the word and keep each other informed about City decisions.

Sept to Dec 2025

  • Sept 15: Townhall at Beacon Clubhouse with Councilmembers William Go and Melinda Lui, The Great Park Director Luis Estevez, and City Librarian Julie Zeoli.  70+ GP residents showed up to ask them questions about the plan for the GP Library.

  • Oct 14: City Council Meeting: City Librarian presented the Feasibility Study conducted over the summer.  11 members of the public, including 6 from the Great Park Neighborhood spoke about the importance and the urgent need for a Main Library in the Great Park

  • Oct 15: IrvineMainLibraryFOL.org website went LIVE! 

  • Oct 28: City Council Meeting: City Council voted 7-0 to adopt a resolution to formally incorporate and expeditiously build a central or main library branch in the Northern sector of the Great Park Framework Plan and explore funding options outside of those already allocated in Phase 1. This is a major first step in the right direction! Now, let’s continue to build on this momentum and make the library a reality.

  • Nov 6: Planning Commission reviewed the proposal for 1,814 new home. Many residents spoke during the meeting and many more had sent in emails to the commission and the City Council.

    • (1) Planning Commission heard everyone’s concerns and recommended school board consultation and more community benefits for residents,

    • (2) school board has heard complaints and has said they are working to increase resources at all the schools,

    • (3) new development will be zoned for Woodbridge high school, limiting impact to existing schools,

    • (4) City Council and City is highly aware of resident pushback, and

    • (5) 5P said they are discussing community benefits in real time.

  • Negotiations are ongoing with the developer and City Council is involved in closed door sessions.  The City is currently advancing funds to start planning for the main library.

    • We sent a letter to the IUSD Board (and copied City Council) asking them to address resident concerns on re-zoning, overcrowding, school sizes, and lack of resources.  Will post when we get a response.

    • For now, the goal is to get to a better agreement and resolve concerns around the schools.

  • Nov 20, 2025: Five Point will commit $15 million for a Main Library at Great Park. This money should be used for “architectural design, environmental study, and future fundraising outreach efforts”.

  • Dec 9, 2025: City Council Meeting: Your emails, calls, and presence at City Council meetings made a difference! FivePoint will provide $15 million for the planning and design of a new library in Great Park. $5M from the CFD homeowners tax, $10M from the developer.

Email City Council members

Join a growing number of Irvine residents in support of building a new Main Library in Great Park.

Please feel free to use the template below or tailor it to your own experiences and hopes for our community. Your voice carries more power than you think!

This is our most effective action right now!

Email Subject: Support for an Irvine Main Library in Great Park

Message to Copy:

Dear Honorable Council Members,

I am writing as an Irvine resident to express my strong support for building a Main Library in the northern sector of the Great Park as indicated in the current Great Park Framework Plan. Please include its design in the budget process for 2026 and start fundraising efforts of the Framework Plan construction.

I respectfully urge you to support the Main Library construction at the Northern Sector of Great Park and include it in the budget process for fiscal year 2026.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your support at the upcoming City Council Meeting.

Copy Text & Email Irvine City Council Members

Stay informed through social media

Follow these local representatives on Instagram to stay updated on local affairs:

  • Friends of the Irvine Main Library: @IrvineMainLibraryFOL

  • District 2 Rep: William Go: @WilliamGoIrvine

  • District 1 Rep: Melinda Liu: @MelindaLiu_official

  • Mayor Larry Agran: @MayorLarryAgran

Sign up for official updates

Join Councilmember William Go's office listserve to receive important community updates directly:

Sign Up for William Go's Newsletter

Know Your Representatives & Meeting Agendas

https://cityofirvine.org/city-council

Irvine City Council Agenda:

https://cityofirvine.org/government/city-council/city-council-agendas

Planning Commission Agenda:

https://cityofirvine.org/community-development/planning-commission-agendas-minutes-0

City Calendar:

https://cityofirvine.org/news-media/events/grid