Milwaukee Public Library Seeks Community Input

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to seek proposals from developers who want to partner on a mixed-use development for the Forest Home or Mill Road branch libraries. MPL is now asking the community to voice their opinions on RFP submissions for the redevelopment of the Mill Road library from three developer teams: Maures Development, Common Bond and Engberg Anderson; Gorman & Company, Inc., Northwest Side Community Development Corporation and VJS Construction; and the City of Milwaukee Housing Authority.

The developer teams will present their proposals for the replacement of the Mill Road Library to the community and the MPL Building and Development committee on Tuesday, December 9^th at 5:30 pm at Mill Road Library, 6431 N. 76^th St.  The committee may select a project to recommend to the Library Board.

Residents are invited to complete an online survey and attend the public meeting. Go to www.mpl.org/about/library_development.php to take the survey and get information on the three proposals. They may also be viewed at the Mill Road library.

• Maures Development, Common Bond and Engberg Anderson developer team propose a mixed-use development with 46-82 units affordable housing, a 15,000 sq ft library, dedicated on-site parking for library users, potential 2,500 sq ft commercial space or increased library space and a green space on a city-owned parcel at 7717 W. Good Hope Rd.
• Gorman & Company, Inc., Northwest Side Community Development Corporation and VJS Construction developer team propose a mixed-use development with one floor of public charter school space above the library, a 17,000 sq ft library, dedicated on-site parking for library users, a rooftop solar panel array and outdoor play area on a city-owned parcel at 7717 W. Good Hope Rd. This proposal includes an offer to purchase the current library for use by a public charter school.
• City of Milwaukee Housing Authority proposes a mixed-use development with 60 affordable housing units in two buildings, a 15,500 sq ft library, dedicated on-site parking for library users and a green space and pedestrian plaza with a flexible use parking lot for possible green market or community events on the current library site, 6431 N. 76^th St. and an adjacent city-owned parcel.

All three development teams will apply for tax credits.  The Building and Development Committee may make a recommendation to the full Library Board of Trustees to be considered at a special meeting on Tuesday, December 16^th at 4:30 pm at Central Library. MPL plans to begin construction in the fall of 2015.

About the Library Development Project

This plan continues the successful replacement of the Villard Avenue and East branch libraries with new mixed-use buildings.  The Milwaukee Public Library’s Villard Square Branch opened in October 2011.  The new East Branch is scheduled to open tomorrow, November 22, 2014.

Mayor Tom Barrett, the Milwaukee Common Council and the Library Board of Trustees have identified $18 million for the library redevelopment project. MPL anticipates spending $4.5 million on each of the four libraries slated for redevelopment – Forest Home, Mill Road, Capitol and Martin Luther King. In all, five branch libraries will be renovated or replaced. The Tippecanoe Library will be fully renovated, but remain in the same building. The renovation is currently in the design phase and will begin construction in early 2015.  The total amount budgeted for the five libraries in $22.4 million. 

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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