The former Habitat ReStore on E. College Avenue will become temporary home to the Appleton Public Library, then the Thompson Center. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) — The Appleton Public Library says it’s making a second move to another temporary location while construction work continues on the new library.
The Appleton Public Library is currently leasing the former Best Buy building at 2441 S. Kensington Drive through the end of 2023, but the lease cannot be renewed due to new, market-rate national tenants moving into the space.
After evaluating several options for a new temporary site, the city of Appleton will partner with the Thompson Center on Lourdes, Appleton’s nonprofit senior center, to make the second temporary home of the library at the former Habitat ReStore site at 3000 E. College Ave.
While the Thompson Center on Lourdes has plans to build a long-term home for its programming there, the organization is allowing the library to use the facility until the new library is complete.
In exchange, the Thompson Center has requested, and the city is recommending, $1 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds support to Thompson Center on Lourdes. The Appleton Common Council will consider the request at an upcoming meeting.
“This is a great opportunity in disguise because once we leave this temporary location, it will be ready for our senior center,” said Appleton Communications and Public Engagement Manager, Andy Anaam. “This was part of how we wanted to help the senior citizens of our community, so it’s a win-win situation.”
To facilitate the move, the current temporary location of the Appleton Public Library will close in November. The library is expected to reopen at its new temporary location at 3000 E. College Avenue in early January.
Additional details regarding the move will be shared by the Appleton Public Library as plans and schedules are finalized.
Thompson Center on Lourdes is expected to be in their new home at 3000 E. College Ave. in late spring 2025.
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