Council approves $69,200 preconstruction contract for library/City Hall alternatives; vote 12–2

The Wauwatosa Common Council approved a $69,200 contract with construction manager CG Schmidt to provide construction management and preconstruction services for alternatives analysis related to a potential renovation of the Library–City Hall complex.

The Financial Affairs Committee recommended the contract by a 5–2 vote and the full council approved it 12–2 after members raised concerns about cost estimates and long-term spending implications. “This $69,000 contract may just seem modest,” said one alder who opposed the measure at council, calling the step “another frog in the pot” that moves the city closer to a much larger project. Dissenters pointed to a widely circulated $75 million figure and warned about moving toward large-scale construction in a tight fiscal climate.

Supporters said the preconstruction study is necessary to produce concrete plans and cost estimates before pursuing fundraising and donor outreach. Mayor McBride and members of the council’s pro-study group said major donors and the library’s fundraising arm want a clearer set of options before committing funds. “You have to come in with something that looks a little more concrete so we know what we might be donating for,” the mayor said.

Council members stressed that the contract does not authorize construction. CG Schmidt is expected to deliver alternatives analysis, cost estimates and fundraising-ready materials that the library foundation and city staff can use to assess financing strategies, including possible private donations and potential referendum scenarios. The contract passed on a 12–2 roll-call vote.