APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The City council is expected to vote Wednesday to approve bids for the new library.
The city has been working towards a new facility for several years, but the project was put on hold in 2022 after bids came back more than $14 million over budget.
After some changes to the project, the project was let out for bids a second time. This time, the $35.2 million budget can be met, according to memos from Dean Gazza, director of parks, recreation and facilities management.
“The Request for Proposal by architects required that fees were based on the cost of construction totaling $24.4 million dollars to ensure all architects provided equal cost proposals and represented the amount the City of Appleton had allocated towards the project. The City of Appleton’s allocation increased by $2 million and private donations were estimated at $12 million thus the architectural fees were increased per the contract by $973,800 to represent the estimated cost of construction of $35.2 million,” one memo stated.
“On June 15, 2023, bids were opened for all areas of construction. We received multiple bids as provided below and recommend proceeding with the lowest responsible bidders. Upon approving the bids Boldt Construction will enter a contract with each to complete the related work,” Gazza wrote.
The agenda item for the council Wednesday states: “Approval of Bid Packages and project related expenses into the Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment to The Boldt Company for the Library Construction Project for a contract not to exceed $30,928,247.”
If approved, construction could start within a few months.
The library is currently operating out of a temporary facility on the east side.
