Community members and leaders gathered at the construction site of the Appleton Public Library for a "topping out" celebration, March 19, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Community members and leaders gathered Tuesday at the construction site of the Appleton Public Library for a “topping out” celebration.
As part of the ceremonial milestone, project contributors and others in attendance signed their names on the final steel beam for the building’s frame.
“To be here, to see more people show up than we ever expected, to have them be able to literally put their names on a piece of the building, was just a really special moment. It’s not the last milestone we’re going to have, but it was a really nice one,” said Colleen Rortvedt, director of the Appleton Public Library.
Mayor Jake Woodford said it was a great way to recognize all the progress that has been made in the construction process.
“This is such a special building project for the community and I think people will be impressed by the level of quality in the finishes in this building,” he said. “It’ll feel like an entirely new space… I think folks are going to be pleasantly surprised by what they find.”
Rortvedt said right now, the project remains on track, on schedule and on budget. Construction should be finished at the end of the year and a grand opening is expected in the first quarter of 2025.
Tuesday’s event came a few days after the Friends of the Appleton Library announced they’ve raised $11 million of their $12 million goal for the library’s renovation and transformation.
It’s a project that’s been years in the making — one that’s had to overcome everything from budget challenges to moving to several temporary locations.
“We are so excited to get back here. Just really thrilled,” said Rortvedt. “To be back downtown and back home in this space is going to be so wonderful.”
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