APPLETON, WI — Some more delays are likely before construction begins on the Appleton Public Library. That’s because bids came in higher than the projected cost of 40-million-dollars.
Bids from 36 firms were opened and reviewed on Tuesday. Specific numbers were not released at Tuesday’s meeting of the Appleton Library Board. Library Director Colleen Rortvedt, however, says more reassessment is needed before the project can go to the Finance Committee. Rortvedt also says the higher bids will likely impact the project’s timeline.
The City of Appleton has committed $26.4 million to the new library. $2.4-million in COVID relief funds would also be allocated to the project with $12-million from fundraising efforts. Groundbreaking was targeted for this Fall with a projected opening in early 2024.
