Central Library Not a Major Issue with Candidate or Mayor Soglin

And it should come as no surprise.

Central Library could be delayed 3 years under Soglin plan. (Wisconsin State Journal, 4/18/2011)

Excerpt:   New Mayor Paul Soglin's requirement for guarantees on $8 million in private fundraising for the Central Library reconstruction before the project goes to bid could mean a delay of up to three years, library officials said Monday.

Soglin, who takes office Tuesday, said that he's not trying to delay or stop the $29.5 million project, and that he's eager to explore options; however, he intends to ensure the city has privately raised cash in hand, or its equivalent, before putting out bids.

The library design has been largely finished, and construction documents were to be done by Aug. 22. Bidding was supposed to completed by the end of October, and construction was supposed to start in November or December.

The nonprofit Madison Public Library Foundation, which is doing the fundraising, is starting its campaign next month and doesn't expect to have $8 million in cash or pledges — 27 percent of the project cost — until at least the end of 2013, officials said.

Trying to secure all money or pledges faster "would be very challenging, no question about it," Library Board President Tripp Widder said.

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(10/28/2009)
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