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Oconomowoc seeks Vibrant Spaces grant and launches community process for library space needs
Summary
Council authorized applying for a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Vibrant Spaces grant for the village green and heard a detailed update from Library Director Jennifer Puccini on a FEH Design-led space-needs analysis, which seeks broad public participation and a feasibility study to follow.
The Oconomowoc Common Council on Dec. 3 authorized staff to submit a Vibrant Spaces grant application to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to support the village green reconstruction. Staff (Paige/Miss Brenklek) said the program awards average grants of $20,000–$40,000 and that council authorization is required as part of a quick application deadline.
In a separate but related staff report, Library Director Jennifer Puccini provided an update on the city’s library space-needs analysis led by FEH Design. Puccini said the project team has held two two-hour meetings with a 12-member core committee composed of board members, library friends and staff. FEH has recommended recruiting about 100 community members for advisory task-force meetings and holding two full-day “spark” sessions where residents can provide input and review conceptual drawings.
Puccini said the process is designed to collect ideas ranging from minor revamps to a long-range “dream library” and that the feasibility study will follow the needs analysis to determine fundraising capacity. She said the final report should wrap up in February and encouraged council members and residents to attend spark sessions. Aldermen praised the consultant selection and fundraising efforts; one alderman said $30,000 was fundraised by the library to support the consultant engagement.
Council approved the grant-authorization resolution and thanked staff for quick turnaround on the application deadline. No grant award was announced at the meeting; staff said applications are competitive and outcomes are not guaranteed.
