City staff continue to work with architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) on the library project. The following progress has been made in the past month:
Design, Community Engagement and Communication
- We are currently in the design development phase.
- SOM continues to refine the design based on feedback they receive.
- Schedules are being finalized for the next phase - which will include detailed interior design, furnishings and finishes.
- Staff workshops and community updates, including a Library Building Project Advisory Committee meeting, are being scheduled for early 2022.
- We are working on planning community engagement opportunities during building construction.
Additional Site Assessment Updates
We are finalizing soil testing. Recent testing concentrated on an area that may house an underground stormwater management trap. Since there is minimal green space or space for a retention pond, a trap would be most suitable. Additional soil testing was completed to determine design for foundation and footings. Recent testing went better than anticipated and will allow us to use standard spread footings.
Parking
Walker Parking Consultants are finalizing a parking analysis report. The report will help ensure there is adequate, convenient parking for library patrons. In addition, it will provide recommendations to enhance the pedestrian experience within the library neighborhood.
Interim Library Needs
We continue to evaluate the best option for a temporary library and work through lease negotiations. The temporary library will provide a scaled-down space that prioritizes access to the library collection and technology. Library staff are working with partners to develop plans for programming across the community during construction.
We are working with CCS, our move management consultants, to draft a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from moving companies. The moving company will move all collections, as well as staff items, to designated places in the temporary location. This will include disassembling and reassembling the shelving and placing materials back in the correct order. The RFP also covers our move from the temporary library back to the new library in 2023.
Friends of Appleton Public Library held a book sale to remove the backlog of donated and withdrawn materials that have been accumulating throughout the pandemic. This has started the important process of clearing out back of house spaces.
Library staff have been working with the City of Appleton Finance Department on plans for appropriate disposal of items. Some items are listed on govdeals.com. We are researching auction services to complete the process. All revenue gained goes to the City’s general fund per our Procurement Policy.
Staff are also coordinating with the Outagamie Waupaca Library System (OWLS) on issues of data circuit relocation and reconfiguring APL’s connection to the OWLS network. OWLS is currently a tenant in the library and will be relocating to their own offices.
College Avenue North Neighborhood Planning
The planappleton.com website and interactive map have been visited 2435 total times by 752 unique users. Thank you for helping to get the word out about this site.
Public design studio sessions for the College North Neighborhood Plan were held on November 9 and 10. At these meetings, RDG Planning & Design shared an annotated map of concepts, suggestions and thoughts. Discussion and updated development concepts per feedback from the November design studios and city review as well as review the mobility network will continue. Updates will be shared with the public in late January/early February.
Budget and Funding
In November, initial project cost estimates came in at approximately $39 million - including pandemic-driven escalation costs. Regardless, the City of Appleton commitment will remain $26.4 million. Mayor Woodford has allocated an additional $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for broadband network infrastructure.
Staff are working to determine the remaining funding, including opportunities for grants and fundraising. Friends of Appleton Public Library are conducting a feasibility study to determine potential for private fundraising.
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