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Selection of a preferred design alternative for the remodel, expansion, or reconstruction of Wauwatosa's Library and City Hall
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Submitted by:
David Simpson, Director of Public Works
Department
Public Works
A. Issue
The City's currently approved 5-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) includes funding to continue with design work for the remodel, expansion, or reconstruction of the City's Library and City Hall Complex. In order to continue onto final design and fundraising for the project a decision regarding project scope and funding is needed.
B. Background/Options
History. With the decision made to keep the Library and City Hall facility in its current location, the first step toward an eventual remodel of the facility was the completion of a feasibility study, which was completed and presented to the Committee of the Whole in early 2023. Since that time the 5-year CIP was developed and approved to include design funding for more detailed design analysis and cost modeling. In late 2025 the Common Council approved a contract with CG Schmidt for Construction Management Services, which compliments the work that OPN Architects continues to complete for the project's conceptual design phase. At the May 12th, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting four design alternatives were presented as the first step of a public outreach campaign.
At This Meeting. At this Committee of the Whole meeting the project team will review the attached presentation which summarizes the results of the public outreach campaign and discusses the Library Board's preferred options. Also attached is a common questions and answers document as well as all comments and votes received from the public through the online survey that was prepared for the project.
Scope and Funding Decision. In order to establish a timeline for this project and proceed with private fundraising for the library expansion, Common Council direction is needed as to which alternative is prefer...
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