Supply-chain issues push back construction of new $40 million Appleton Public Library
APPLETON - Supply-chain issues have delayed the $40 million renovation and expansion of the Appleton Public Library, pushing the start of construction to early August and the completion to the end of 2023.
The previous schedule called for construction to begin in July and finish in fall 2023.
"This is really our first time delaying the projected timeline a little bit," Library Director Colleen Rortvedt told the Library Board.
Project manager Dean Gazza said supply-chain issues within the construction industry "are really messing with things," whether due to labor shortages, the war in Ukraine or the lingering effects of manufacturing shutdowns due to COVID-19.
Certain electrical components needed for the library, for example, have lead times of a year or more, Gazza said.
The most recent timeline for the library project anticipates the following steps:
June 6: The project is put out for bids.
June 24: Bids are due.
July 11: Finance Committee recommends approval of construction contracts.
July 20: Common Council approves construction contracts.
Aug. 5: Construction starts.
Dec. 28, 2023: The project substantially is completed.
The library closed its doors at 225 N. Oneida St. on April 13. It reopened Monday at its temporary site in the former Best Buy store at 2411 S. Kensington Drive.
"The move went about as smoothly as a move that large could go," Rortvedt told The Post-Crescent. "It's a nice space. When people walk in, they seem really pleasantly surprised. We've got maps to help people figure out the new layout. We were able to get a little play area into the children's section."
A grand opening of the temporary site is scheduled for June 6, which coincides with the kickoff of the summer library program.
Gazza has discussed the delay in construction with the owners of the Kensington property. The city's lease runs through Aug. 31, 2023.
"If we know for sure that we have to extend the lease, then we'll work with them to extend the lease," Gazza said, "but I hate to do that at this point because it's a little bit premature."
RELATED: New Appleton library will feature geothermal wells and solar panels to reduce carbon footprint
The existing library opened in 1981 and is considered outdated, inefficient and, at 86,600 square feet, undersized. The new library will total 107,380 square feet.
The most recent budget for the project totals $40.4 million. The amount consists of $26.4 million in city property taxes, $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and $12 million in grants or private donations.
Gazza said the $40.4 million budget has been a challenge because prices for concrete, steel, lumber and other building materials are rising at a steep rate.
"We're concerned that it's several million dollars over," Gazza said of the project cost. "This inflation has just been to the point where you can't even understand it."
In attempt to keep the cost within budget, architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill of Chicago and construction manager The Boldt Co. of Appleton have been examining ways to reduce expenses without jeopardizing function or quality.
The review is looking at large-scale material changes as well as smaller component changes, like replacing a custom-made oval skylight with a circular or rectangular skylight that can be purchased off the shelf. A rooftop terrace already has been removed from the project to lower construction costs.
"If we would come in under budget, we would have an opportunity to restore some of these things," Gazza said.
The nonprofit organization Friends of Appleton Public Library is planning a $12 million fundraising campaign to support the project.
A capital campaign committee has been assembled and will begin meeting with potential donors in early July.
"This will officially start the silent phase of the campaign," Rortvedt said in a report to the Library Board. "This is a period where the committee will focus on soliciting lead gifts, with the goal of having 80% of the total goal committed before moving to the public phase of the campaign in early 2023."
Current budget for the new Appleton Public Library
Revenues ($40.4 million)
City of Appleton: $26.4 million
American Rescue Plan Act: $2 million
Friends of Appleton Public Library: $12 million
Expenditures ($40.4 million)
Professional fees (architects and engineers): $3,817,289
Consultants (geotechnical studies, surveys, materials testing): $406,665
Temporary library site: $552,000
Utilities and administrative fees: $367,500
Furniture, fixtures and equipment: $2.5 million
Construction: $32,756,546
Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DukeBehnke.
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This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton library construction timeline delayed by supply-chain issues
