Milwaukee Public Library Martin Luther King Branch Redevelopment Moves Ahead
MPL Board of Trustees Selects Young Development for Project
MLK Library proposal by Young Development Group, LLC. Rendering by JLA Architects.
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Public Library Board of Trustees last night selected Young Development to lead a new mixed-use project to replace the current Martin Luther King Library at 310 W. Locust Street. In his 2014 budget, Mayor Tom Barrett prioritized redevelopment of the library branch system in a multi-year building and renovation program with an investment of $21.5 million over five to seven years. The project calls for rebuilding four branches – Forest Home (which will be replaced by the new Mitchell Street branch in 2017), Mill Road, Capitol and Martin Luther King. The four branches scheduled for rebuilding will be redeveloped as part of mixed-use projects – a more affordable approach.
Young Development, responding to a Request for Proposals (RFP) in October of 2016, has put forth a mixed-use project that includes a 17,000 square foot library with 1,400 square feet of retail space and 44 market-rate apartments. Parking for 51 visitors and 45 residents is included in the proposal.
“Milwaukee’s libraries are a vital part of our community,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “I believe that an investment in libraries is an investment in economic stability in our neighborhoods – improving access, economic opportunity, education and quality of life in our neighborhoods.”
“In 2018, we will open the doors to a brand new, modern Martin Luther King branch library,” said Library Director Paula Kiely. “As with Villard Square and our East Branch libraries which have already opened, and our Mitchell Street branch opening in 2017, MLK users can expect to have a 21st century environment, rich with technology and flexible spaces for interaction and community connection.”
More information about the project: http://mpl.org/about/library_development/martin_luther_king.php
Renderings
About Milwaukee Public Library
Milwaukee Public Library is an anchor institution that helps build healthy families and vibrant neighborhoods – the foundation of a strong Milwaukee. Since 1878, Milwaukee Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for residents of Milwaukee and beyond. With 14 locations, and more than three million items in circulation, MPL offers free access to a rich collection of materials both physical and digital, access to technology, classes, exhibitions, programming and more. From toddlers to scholars, MPL serves more than one million patrons who come through its doors annually and many more around the globe who use its resources at www.mpl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, MPL relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support Milwaukee Public Library at mpl.org/support.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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