June 9, 2026: The Library has worked with both Turner Construction and SHP Architects to make design modifications to reduce the project budget. These changes include eliminating a secondary drive at the rear of the building, relocating the mechanical equipment from the roof of the building to the rear of the building, modifying the section of metal roof so that the entire roof is one continuous product, and minor interior design selections.

In June, the Board of Trustees authorized the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director to modify the Branch Renovation and Replacement 2022-2027 agreement (along with necessary change orders subsequently reported for confirmation) with Turner Construction via GMP amendment. The updated Guaranteed Maximum Price is now $5,570,874 with a modified project budget of $7.6 million. Although this is $500,000 greater than originally planned, the Library is expecting deduct change orders for both the Symmes Township Branch Library and the Downtown Main Library Chiller projects in a comparable amount.

In February, the Board approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $5M and an overall project budget of $7.1M for the Miami Twp. Branch's relocation project.

The initial review of the bids indicated the cost of construction was over budget by almost 20%. The Library has worked with both Turner Construction and SHP Architects to make design modifications to reduce the budget. These changes include eliminating a secondary driveway at the rear of the building, relocating the mechanical equipment from the roof of the building to the rear of the building, modifying the section of metal roof so that the entire roof is one continuous product, and minor interior design selections.

The Library expects updated pricing and execution of the GMP by mid-April with a goal is to keep the overall project cost to the previously approved $7.1 million.

During their Feb. 10, 2026 meeting, the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library Board of Trustees approved changing the Miami Twp. branch’s name to the Cleves Branch. This decision is based on a zoning variance contingency that required a name change or a project redesign to avoid variances, eliminates the confusion associated with the Miami Townships located in Clermont County and Montgomery County, and is in organizational alignment with other branch locations. The name change will be effective with the opening of the new location to responsibly spend public resources.

During the same meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the branch relocation project based on the architect's finalized construction documents, to keep the project on schedule. This approval also covers contingency credits, entry design changes, and authorizes the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Library Director to modify the agreement as needed.

The Library is working with the architect, SHP, on the design schedule with plans to complete the design by early 2026 with the GMP bidding and execution immediately after. There is a community engagement session planned for December 11, 2025 to share the plans and gather feedback on the potential name change.

The Library communicated the Board direction on the branch renaming to the village administrator after the last meeting. The current design requires two setback variances and a parking space size variance. The Cleves zoning commission has approved the variances contingent on the Library changing our name to include Cleves.

We are evaluating the implication of the building design and the site layout without any variances.

The Library continues to make progress with the architect, SHP, on the design schedule with plans to complete the design by early 2026 with the Guaranteed Maximum Price bidding and execution immediately after.

The Library continues to make progress with the architect, SHP, on the design schedule with plans to complete the design by early 2026 with the Guaranteed Maximum Price bidding and execution immediately after.

The Library continues to make progress with the architect, SHP, on the design schedule with plans to complete the design by early 2026 with the Guaranteed Maximum Price bidding and execution immediately after.

The Library is working with the architect, SHP, on the design schedule with plans to complete the design by early 2026 with the Guaranteed Maximum Price bidding and execution immediately after.

Week of June 9: The Library is working with the architect, SHP, on the design schedule with plans to complete the design by early 2026 with the GMP bidding and execution immediately after.

Week of April 14, 2025:

A community engagement session was held on April 3, 2025, to learn about plans for the future Miami Township Branch Library building and location. Library leadership and branch staff were on hand to talk about plans and get community feedback. More than 30 people attended the event and provided great input on the future location.

View the engagement session presentation (PDF)

The design process will begin in the second half of 2025 with hopes of construction beginning in 2026. The current project budget, exclusive of the property acquisition, is $6,500,000. The Library will be working with SHP and Turner on this project.

Week of October 7, 2024:

The due diligence process on the property was completed in September. The closing has been scheduled for October 11, 2024. We have not established a timeline for the branch replacement project.

The purchase of this property follows the Library’s Facility Master Plan recommendation for the branch to be relocated with new, expanded facilities at a nearby location. Planned to be 6,000 – 7,500 square feet, the new building will be focused on meeting the needs of the Miami Township community, increasing accessibility to the branch, and improving parking for customers. 

The current branch, located at 8 North Miami Ave., will remain open during the project.

Week of August 12, 2024:

The Library has engaged J.S. Held to manage the due diligence process on the property. The
anticipated completion of the items is August 31, 2024, with the intent to close by September 15, 2024, as indicated in the purchase agreement.

Week of June 10, 2024:

At their meeting on June 11, 2024, the Library's Board of Trustees voted to execute a purchase agreement of 1.34 acres located in Cleves, Ohio from Tisch Properties LLC. 

A 90-day due diligence process on the property, located in downtown Cleves, will begin immediately. After that process is completed, the Library plans to hold engagement sessions in the coming months for input on the new building and will work with SHP Architects and Turner Construction on the project. Design work is estimated to begin in 2024, with hopes of construction beginning in 2025. 

The purchase of this property follows the Library’s Facility Master Plan recommendation for the branch to be relocated with new, expanded facilities at a nearby location. Planned to be 6,000 – 7,500 square feet, the new building will be focused on meeting the needs of the Miami Township community, increasing accessibility to the branch, and improving parking for customers. 

The current branch, located at 8 North Miami Ave., will remain open during the project.

Week of April 15, 2024: The Library continues to explore options for a new branch in Miami Township. With a focus on accessibility, stewardship and ongoing operations feasibility, we are working to make the most informed decision we can in a timely fashion, knowing that providing Miami Township and the surrounding neighborhoods a modern, updated public library facility is a top priority. We are in the process of putting property on Miami Ave, less than a five minute walk from the current location, under contract. This does not necessarily signal a final direction rather allows us to begin our due diligence process and evaluate the feasibility of that site. We have not ruled out property on Three Rivers School District property as a potential spot for the new Library Branch. We deeply appreciate the community working with us to make a new public library a reality. We intend to complete our evaluation by August 2024.

Week of October 8, 2023: We continue to investigate the potential of a new construction building on the lot in front of the Three Rivers School District school campus in addition to other opportunities and we hope to have more information to share in the coming months.

We are working with SHP, Turner Construction and JS Held in evaluating the feasibility along with the estimated costs associated with the acquiring, building and maintaining of the property.

Week of June 12, 2023: Representatives from the Three Rivers School District reached out to the Library regarding the potential of building a new building on the lot in front of the school campus. The Library is investigating the feasibility along with the estimated costs associated with acquiring, building and maintaining the property. We intend to continue this discussion with the school district later this summer.