On 03/17/2021 the Appleton Common Council voted to approve the Finance Committee’s recommendation and award a design and engineering services contract for the Appleton Public Library to the company Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM). The vote itself was uneventful. There was no discussion and it was approved 15-0. However, there were several people who made public comments on it, so I thought I would recap those.
Kara Sullivan (Executive Director of Friends of Appleton Library) spoke in favor of awarding the contract to SOM. The current building is 40 years old, too small, woefully outdated and poorly designed for a 21st century library. “Let’s solve this problem, and make this project happen for our community, for our kids, for ourselves, and for our future.”
Walter Blank (Member of the Appleton Concerned Taxpayers) shared with the Common Council the goals of good stewardship of our city, of our tax money, and the hopes of creating a public library that meets the needs of the community. Last week he attended the Finance Committee meeting to illuminate concern in the architect and engineering firm selection. Mayor Woodford and Alderperson Siebers made reassuring comments that acknowledged his concern that selecting a firm that exceeded the plan budget raised a red flag, indicating a possibility of an uncontrolled approach to the upcoming library expenditures. He’s still seeking some clarifications. The Library project update in September stated, “Recent studies have revealed the library needs space to accommodate large meetings, an increase in flexible infrastructure and more efficient circulation practices” Where does the public find the studies that were used as evidence for this statement? There’s a need for data here. He was encouraged by the mayor’s statement of wanting to maximize the use of existing city resources. The goal of this project is to create an inspiring and flexible space that will satisfy the community needs for generations to come. Walter was drawn to a statement he recently read that the library of the 21st century will be defined by the community organizations and programs, with the library providing space. He proposed these considerations: How will we avoid overlap or duplicity in services? How will this be researched and addressed? What studies cite the needs for auditoriums in the midst of so many surrounding this location? What community groups or stakeholders are requiring meeting spaces? What are their needs? And what programs are they using or offering? How will we connect with the surrounding municipalities–their libraries or their community meeting centers? How much private money is going to be invested in this project? He strongly encouraged the inclusion of the community organizations and representatives of the public in the project’s advisory committee. Input by these groups, along with maximizing existing city assets, is critical in the accomplishment of the common goal of a library for the 21st century that we can all be proud of.
Rebecca Kelner (President of the Appleton Public Library Board and also a member of the review panel that recommended SOM) reiterated what the review committee did to weed down the firms. After reviewing 3 firms, they narrowed it down to 2. After they got references, SOM was the clear standout. She learned since then that SOM is a world renowned architect, but that is not why they were chosen. They were chosen because they provided the best response to the Request For Proposal. It was clear through the process that SOM was excited and energized by the project and wants to deliver a library that meets our needs today and into the future but that also serves as an anchor to revitalize our neighborhood.
Jason Brosek hoped the council would take the unanimous recommendation from the Finance Committee and approve the contract with SOM. Working with SOM gives them the chance to work with the best of the best–not just a firm that’s “good enough”. He was impressed with their vision of libraries as community hubs and their commitment to work “with” the community not just “for” the community. He wanted to take a moment to address a point that he thought would come up–the city of Neenah’s $6 million library project. Neenah’s library was built in 2000. With inflation, that $6 million would now be $9.2 million and more in 2022 and 2023. The Neenah Public Library is also 50 thousand square feet whereas the RFP for APL specifies 120k square feet. Neenah’s population is also about 1/3 the size of Appleton. The City of Eau Claire–still somewhat smaller than Appleton, but closer–just committed $18.5mil to a renovation. Although it was not comparing apples to apples, Austin, Texas just built a library for $120 million, and Calgary’s gorgeous new library cost $245 million, so maybe Appleton is thinking too small. “The point is this: that we shouldn’t be thinking about what Neenah did two decades ago, but asking ‘Is this a library that will serve the diverse needs of our community now and will be flexible enough to continue being a valuable resource for our community in the decades to come?’”
Jill Swenson said she had experience with the planning for a new library since 2015. She participated in a focus group with other small businesses to discuss what needs they had for a new library. In every stage of the process for planning for a new library she has felt like the city has been open and has solicited feedback from many, many stakeholders. She was in favor of moving forward and awarding the contract to SOM. She thought it was urgent to move forward on the library for 3 reasons. In this economic environment, we need to recognize the library as an engine. It helps start new businesses. It’s also a source for research and innovation, and she thought we overlook how important it is to the business sector. Other businesses may not choose to locate in a community that does not have a vibrant, robust library system. It also creates what are called “third places”. We talk about home and work, but we also need places where groups, businesses, members of the public interest areas can meet and gather which are not commercial in nature but in fact are spaces that are open and welcoming to everyone. A public library is a temple of learning and learning is not just in books. That learning also comes through engagement, both face to face and with technology. She thought it was long overdue that they move forward on a new library.
Carolyn Derosier had strong support for awarding the contract to SOM. She believes a library is amongst a community’s most precious resources. “Strong libraries build strong communities”.
Connie Roop supported the adoption of SOM to design a new Appleton Library. “A new Appleton library is not a want; it is a need. Our current building is inadequate and antiquated.”
Gordon Lind spoke in favor of the recommended design firm and the budget for its work. He built a railroad model of Appleton set in the early 1950s that is now at the History Museum at the Castle. Mainly because of the library’s help over those initial years, his 7 page story and photos depicting Appleton and it’s industrial history have been sent to modelers around the world via the cover of Model Railroad Magazine. He preferred a new building rather than reusing the old building.
Rick Krumwiede spoke in favor of awarding the contract to SOM. Throughout the long process of trying to get a new library, he never heard anyone argue that we didn’t need a new library, rather they would object to one aspect or another of the proposal. He thought many of those objections were red herrings. He thought it often came down to people thinking that they didn’t want to raise their property taxes for a project that benefits everyone. As an over 70 year old retiree he says “Go for it”. He was happy to see the city spend his tax dollars on projects that benefit the common good.
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=825734&GUID=3BA63E0C-B886-48F5-87C4-4C47B4CA644D&Options=info|&Search=
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