For the past several months, City of Appleton and Appleton Public Library staff have been working on a request for proposal (RFP) for a mixed-use development which would include a public library. Proposals have been evaluated and interviews with developers have been completed.
There will be an informational presentation of the staff recommendation at a joint meeting of the City’s Finance Committee and the Library’s Building and Equipment Committee on Monday, February 26 in Council Chambers at 5:30 pm. The meeting is open to the public.
The staff recommendation for the library portion of the development places the library, as well as almost 100 apartments, on the site of the Soldier's Square parking ramp that is slated for demolition. The recommended proposal was created by a development team led by Paul Klister, principal at Commercial Horizons.
City staff reviewed the proposals and scored each one using a comprehensive evaluation process in order to develop a project that enhances the downtown, while creating new tax base. The proposal by Klister's team creates the largest potential for new tax base, and was the highest scoring proposal among staff members.
For more information on the project, please visit the City of Appleton website. The public is welcome to attend the February 26 meeting to learn more about the project as well.