GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A $38 million plan to improve Brown County’s libraries received initial approval Wednesday evening.
$20 million of that is coming from the county sales tax that was approved four years ago, but more funding needs to be identified before all three phases of the plan are carried out.
It’s been 19 years since Brown County’s East Branch Library was first identified for needing a facility upgrade.
“It’s a situation in flux,” said Brian Anderson, Brown County Library Board President.
“The current situation is not ideal because of the tenancy that we have in that facility. That remains the highest priority of the library board to try to locate a new facility.”
$7.5 million has been earmarked to improve the East Branch, which could help it expand by two or three times its current size, according to Anderson.
“We have the opportunity to build a new facility or renovate an existing structure,” said Sarah Sugden, Brown County Library Executive Director.
“Different costs, different facilities and benefits to both, so where the ultimate site will be will determine whether the East Branch project will be a renovation or a new construction.”
The East Branch project is in phase 1 of the new capital projects plan, along with $650,000 to improve the central location in Downtown Green Bay, and $2 million to expand the Pulaski Branch.
The phase 1 plans for the downtown location includes $500,000 to create a new multi-function meeting space in the lower level.
Anderson tells FOX 11 the Pulaski Branch needs more space.
“That is a conversation that is ongoing, but we think there’s a lot of ways to open up that space to fit the needs of the community.”
Phase 2 includes $7.5 million to renovate or build a new Ashwaubenon Branch, $750,000 to improve the Denmark Branch, and an additional $9.6 million to further update the Central Library.
“The bones of this (Central) facility are great, but it really does need a lot of updating of the inners, the HVAC, the mechanical systems,” said Sugden.
Library officials say the Denmark facility, which is located within the high school, was included to let the community know it remains a priority.
“We’re trying to identify new ways we can serve that community,” said Anderson. “We’ve included that in the phase 2 of our operations simply because we don’t know what the starting point of that is going to be.”
The final phase of the county’s plan includes another $9 million for the Central Library and $1 million for the Wrightstown Branch.
Library officials hope to fundraise $8 million for the overall plan, which likely includes the possibility for naming rights.
Fundraising $1.5 million is the goal for both the East Branch and Ashwaubenon Branch projects. $1 million is the goal for Pulaski.
The goal is to raise $4 million in phase 2 for the Central Library improvements.
“We’ve conducted a fundraising feasibility study, are working with a local firm on this work, and again really committing ourselves to outstanding work done right,” said Sugden.
The funding source for the $10 million for phase 3 still needs to be determined, according to Sugden.
There is not a definitive timeframe yet for any of the projects.
The county’s education and recreation committee signed off on the spending plan Wednesday. More detailed plans will need to be presented and approved before any project can begin.
