Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Imagination Center construction advances; foundation reports $3.2 million raised for project
Summary
Board heard construction and fundraising updates: demolition and site work are underway at the Imagination Center site, the foundation reported more than $3.2 million raised, and staff expect to submit the first grant payment request next month.
Board members received an update on construction and private fundraising for the Imagination Center (referred to in materials as the project at Rheingdal/Bridal). Mark, the library facilities lead, reported that demolition is complete, site work is underway, and contractors have begun installing temporary utilities and preparing footings for the new shelter and library pavilion. He said a third-party building tune-up audit at Central Library also recommended an LED lighting retrofit, which could reduce electrical costs if implemented.
Mr. Moran, representing the Madison Public Library Foundation, told the board the private fundraising campaign for the Imagination Center has passed $3,200,000 in commitments. "We've crossed $3,200,000 in the private fundraising campaign for Rheingdal," he said. The foundation plans to continue private solicitations and move to a public phase of the campaign later in the year or early next year.
Staff noted that some capital and operating responsibilities are shared with the city’s Parks Department for components of the site (pavilion/reservable park space versus library-occupied space). Tana clarified that the library’s supplemental request covers library operations for the new facility; Parks is expected to pursue its own operating requests tied to the park/shelter operations. Staff said room rentals at the park pavilion managed by Parks will be handled by Parks and revenue retained by Parks, while the library’s program spaces will remain free and open to the public.
Tana said the library will submit its first FFP (federal/foundation funding payment) request for the project in July and noted that capital choices such as start-up collections and shelving remain under review; staff may borrow or use fund balance to cover any remaining capital gaps if grant/campaign totals and bonding do not fully cover start-up costs.
The board discussed reservation priority and public access once the facility opens; staff said the library will have an internal reservation window before general public bookings and will coordinate meeting room policies with Parks. A board member asked whether elected officials should have priority for bookings; staff advised the city’s meeting-room policy already provides government entities with priority under certain conditions.
