Mayor Dave Cieslewicz publicly endorsed plans for the complete renovation of the city's Central Library at a press conference Monday morning.
Cieslewicz will request funding in his capital budget—which was presented to the Common Council Tuesday—for a brand new, state-of-the art library to replace the current one at 201 W. Mifflin St.
""Obviously this is a facility that has served the city well for many years, but it's time that we reinvest,"" Cieslewicz said. ""This library is just really indicative of how we need to respond to the recession: not by being passive, but bold and aggressive.""
According to Cieslewicz, the Madison community has greeted the renovation with significant support, which could have a positive effect on funding for the project.
""This project will allow us to create new property tax revenues … and overall my capital budget will come in $2 million dollars less than the original target,"" he said.
Rick Chandler, vice president of the Madison Public Library Foundation, a private volunteer organization that raises funds for the library, emphasized that the project will be a significant challenge, but said the community is ready to rally behind it and show strong support.
The total cost of the project, including both public and private costs, is $37 million. Seventeen million dollars will be funded through the public, $10 million will come from private funding, $6 million will come from tax credits and $4 million will come from the developer, Fiore Companies.
President of the Library Board Tripp Widder said the board is thrilled and delighted the mayor has decided to include the renovation in his budget.
""Symbolically it serves to underscore what Madison is: commitment to literacy. And what better way to announce that than a brand new, state-of-the art public library,"" Widder said.
Widder said it would be a new amenity for Madison residents who live downtown.
Scott Vaughn, director of the Building and Construction Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin, said the project would create jobs for the city.
""The project will create 200-300 construction jobs paying families supporting wages with benefits, as well as permanent positions when the project is completed,"" he said.
Vaughn said as a member of the Madison Board of Public Works he is confident the city will receive great bid prices for the project.
