What’s been done

Library Expansion Project Timeline

Spring 2001 – Library community survey completed (1,000 area residents surveyed)

December 2001/January 2002 – Library Board members and staff visit new or expanded library buildings (Janesville, Sun Prairie, Schaumberg, Gurnee)

Winter/Spring 2002 – Board and staff complete work sessions for Space Needs Assessment

April 1, 2002 – Board adopts final Space Needs Assessment which documents serious building, workflow and service shortcomings (Completed by planner George Lawson)

June 2002 – Architect selection process for Space Feasibility Study/Alternatives Assessment

August 2002 – Uilhlein Wilson Architects selected to do space feasibility study/alternatives assessment

October 2002 – Team comprised of library board members, library staff, and architectural firm’s staff visit new or expanded library buildings (Sussex, Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee, Waterford)

November 2002 – Community focus groups held for Space Feasibility Study

November 2002 – 3 day space planning workshop for feasibility study (conducted by Uihlein Wilson architectural staff with direction by George Lawson)

April 2003 – Letter to Friedens Church to request conversation about purchasing parsonage property

February 2004 – Letter to Friedens to request conversation about purchasing parsonage property

March – October 2004 – Conversations with Friedens Church

April 2004 – City secures Right of First Refusal on South Third Street property

October 2004 – Friedens Church informs Library that it is not interested in selling the parsonage property

May 2005 – Community Listening Sessions

Spring/Summer 2005 – Board and staff work sessions for building program

August 2005 – Library receives commitment of a gift of $30,000 to help purchase South Third Street property

September 2005 – Board adopts Library Building Program; City exercises option for right of first refusal on South Third Street property and makes an offer to purchase property; Offer to purchase is accepted by property owner and a closing date is set for January 2006

July 2006 – Library Board members and staff tour public libraries in New Berlin and Pewaukee

October 2006 – Letter to Friedens, Fort Atkinson Community Foundation gives approval to use library funds invested with the Foundation for property purchase

December 2005 – City examines South Third Street Property

January 2006 – City closes on South Third Street Property (private funds were used)

February 2006 – Library demolishes house on South Third Street Property (private funds were used)

2007 – Library board examines alternate possible location

January 2008 – Library Board decides to remain at current location based on detailed analysis of alternative options

April 2008 – Library interviews architects for library expansion project

May 2008 – Library makes decision to hire Uihlein Wilson Architects

Future Dates:

• Summer 2008 – Program Verification Workshops to determine design/program
• Fall 2008 – Begin fundraising.
• Fall 2009 – Complete fundraising. Complete technical specifications.
• Spring 2010 – Begin construction process in January