Mayor’s Office Sends Out Press Release Indicating That Appleton Tax-Payers’ Portion Of The Library Project Remains Set At $26.4 Million

The Office of the Mayor has sent out a press release regarding the budget for the Library Project which reiterates that the taxpayer portion of the project remains set at $26.4 million. Per the press release, “the total building project cost is currently estimated at $39 million…This figure considers pandemic-induced cost increases of labor and materials, as well as community input of priorities.”

On top of the $26.4 million the city has budgeted for, the Common Council also recently allocated $2 million in American Recovery Act Plan funds to go toward the project. The city aims to make up the difference between the $28.4 million budgeted/allocated and the $39 million expected overall cost via grants and donations. Additionally, per Dean Gazza, the Project Manager and Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Management, if necessary, planned features of the library “can be modified or eliminated without changing the core vision and goals of the project.”

Below is the full press release.

CITY OF APPLETON PREPARES FOR PANDEMIC-INDUCED INFLATION
TO AFFECT COST ESTIMATES OF LIBRARY BUILDING PROJECT  

Appleton Taxpayer Portion Remains Set At $26.4 Million  

APPLETON, Wis., Nov. 19, 2021 – The City of Appleton is actively preparing for inflationary trends and project scope to increase library building project cost estimates. Project Manager and Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities Management Director Dean Gazza will present an update to the Finance Committee at their meeting on Monday, November 22.  

“While it’s unusual to share cost estimations publicly at this early stage of a project, we want to be sure the community has information at every step of the process,” said Mayor Jake Woodford. “There is still a lot of work to be done to secure outside funding and, if we have to, to reduce the cost of designs.”  

The City has budgeted $26.4 million for project costs spread across three years as follows: $2.9 million was approved in the 2021 budget and a 2021 budget amendment for design services; the Common Council recently approved $10 million in 2022 for construction; the remaining $13.5 million will be budgeted to complete construction in 2023. Additionally, the Common Council approved a $2 million allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds for broadband network infrastructure in the library, which could bring the total funding secured for the project to $28.4 million.  

“This is a library for everyone,” said Finance Committee Chair and District 1 Alderperson William Siebers. “This transparency is appreciated and important to demonstrate respect for our taxpayers.”   

The total building project cost is currently estimated at $39 million according to a jointly-produced estimate by architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and construction manager The Boldt Co. (Boldt). 

This figure considers pandemic-induced cost increases of labor and materials, as well as community input of priorities. This estimate comes prior to any significant cost reduction exercises across various components such as technology, aesthetics and quality of finishes.  

“It is important to note that this cost estimate is preliminary and generally considered a target until further design is developed,” said Gazza. “These estimates include features and systems that stakeholders have expressed should be a community priority. While undesirable, if needed, many of these items can be modified or eliminated without changing the core vision and goals of the project.”  

The City is also pursuing additional funding to include state and federal grants and philanthropic support.  

Appleton has applied for Wisconsin’s Neighborhood Investment Fund Grant and could receive up to $11 million for this “shovel-ready” project that would support underserved individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.  

“While timing for this project has resulted in additional inflationary challenges, timing is also ideal to pursue external funding that is usually never available to library capital projects,” said Library Director Colleen Rortvedt.  

Friends of Appleton Public Library is planning a fundraising campaign to support the project.  

“Friends of Appleton Public Library stands ready to coordinate private support for the project,” said Don Hietpas, President of Friends of Appleton Public Library. “The current concept will enhance the library’s service to the citizens, make an awesome statement about the community, and create a catalyst for revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood. We are looking forward to working with the City to ensure the success of this project.”  

Ultimately, the library design will be scaled to fit available resources without increasing the existing commitment from Appleton taxpayers.  

For the latest updates on the library building project, visit apl.org/planning.