APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Appleton officials say the cost estimate for a new library has risen to $39 million, but the taxpayer’s portion of the bill remains at $26.4 million.
Appleton has been working years on plans to replace or renovate the library. An update will be presented to the Finance Committee Monday, but some details were released Friday.
“While it’s unusual to share cost estimations publicly at this early stage of a project, we want to be sure the community has information at every step of the process,” said Mayor Jake Woodford. “There is still a lot of work to be done to secure outside funding and, if we have to, to reduce the cost of designs.”
The city has budgeted $26.4 million for project costs spread across three years as follows: $2.9 million was approved in the 2021 budget and a 2021 budget amendment for design services; the Common Council recently approved $10 million in 2022 for construction; the remaining $13.5 million will be budgeted to complete construction in 2023. Additionally, the Common Council approved a $2 million allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds for broadband network infrastructure in the library, which could bring the total funding secured for the project to $28.4 million.
The total building project cost is currently estimated at $39 million.
The city is also pursuing additional funding to include state and federal grants and philanthropic support.
Appleton has applied for Wisconsin’s Neighborhood Investment Fund Grant and could receive up to $11 million for this “shovel-ready” project that would support underserved individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, according to a statement from the city.
“While timing for this project has resulted in additional inflationary challenges, timing is also ideal to pursue external funding that is usually never available to library capital projects,” said Library Director Colleen Rortvedt.
Also, Friends of Appleton Public Library is planning a fundraising campaign to support the project.
The Finance Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the 6th floor council chambers.
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