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Groundbreaking begins construction of New Richmond Community Library and Archway Residences
Summary
New Richmond held a ceremonial groundbreaking for a combined public library and mixed‑use housing project, a public‑private partnership that includes a library, retail space and 78 residential units (nine townhomes and 69 apartments). Officials cited long planning, school‑district cooperation and an anticipated ribbon cutting in fall 2025 or spring 2026.
New Richmond officials on the morning of the groundbreaking celebrated the start of construction on a combined library and housing development that city leaders called the largest public‑private partnership in the city’s history.
"Today we recognize the largest public private partnership in the history of the city in Richmond," project manager Noah Wiedenfeld said, opening a program that featured city, school and state representatives, the project developer and the future library director.
Library Director Monica LeVolt said the new New Richmond Community Library will do more than store books: it will host cultural events, workforce‑development classes, remote‑work spaces, exam proctoring and circulate Wi‑Fi hotspots to help close the digital divide. "Libraries are dynamic entities that fuel local economies and support growth and learning," LeVolt said.
Mayor Jim Zikowski recounted a 25‑year search for a suitable downtown site and described the partnerships that made the project possible. He said the school district sold the chosen parcel to the city for $1 under a memorandum of understanding that required work to begin within three years, and he thanked staff for navigating the approvals and paperwork that enabled the project to move forward.
Ray French, regional representative with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, said WEDC supports the project and described it as a model for other communities. French said WEDC plans to attend the ribbon cutting, which officials discussed as likely in fall 2025 but with alternate estimates extending into spring 2026.
Gordon Granrath, president of the library board of trustees, and other trustees and long‑time volunteers thanked donors and partners, including the developer 3 60 Real Estate Solutions and consulting and design firms cited by speakers for engineering and interior work.
Developer Jeremy Novak of 3 60 Real Estate Solutions described the project as a marathon that required pivots during periods of inflation and rising interest rates. Novak said the residential portion — to be called Archway Residences — will include nine townhomes on the site and 69 apartments above the library on floors two through four, and he said the residences are already drawing interest from prospective tenants.
The project will include a small retail space. Hannah Renholt of Jewel Town Roastery said her family business will open a second location in the new library and confirmed plans to operate the coffee shop as an on‑site amenity.
Construction updates and photos will be posted at richmondlibrary.org/building, Wiedenfeld said. Officials encouraged the community to watch for a ribbon cutting and for additional program and occupancy details as the project progresses.
Next steps: continue construction through the coming months; officials referenced a projected completion or ribbon cutting window of fall 2025 to spring 2026 and invited the public to follow updates on the library website.
