A rendering of the outside of the new Appleton Public Library, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — After going back to the drawing board, city officials are giving residents a sneak peek at a revised look of the new Appleton Public Library.
When the renovation bids for the new library came in $14 million over the budget last year, the city rejected them, forcing project leaders to rethink their design.
On Thursday, updated renderings were released.
Officials say the revised design reflects the community’s feedback and the library’s commitment to meeting the needs of its patrons, while carefully managing taxpayer and donor resources.
The new design features a reduction in excavation, a combination of meeting spaces to serve dual purposes, and a shift in the location of meeting spaces.
The library says these changes will offer more space for children and teens, additional spaces for collaboration and creation, an increase in the number of study and meeting rooms, improved accessibility, safety, and sustainability, and a more flexible floor plan that can adapt to community needs.
“A public library is a beacon and symbol of a community’s aspirations and this design builds on the building’s existing legacy to serve our community’s needs far into the future,” Appleton Public Library Director Collen Rortvedt said.
The building will also feature a geothermal system for heating and cooling, more natural light and improved lighting, lower shelving, two public elevators, and easier-to-navigate restrooms.
In April, officials said that if the new bids were approved by the council, construction would start by mid-July.
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