Conceptual plan shared for Cadott Library

Library board president Cookie Kaste (left) and Cory Scheidler, director of architecture at Cedar Corp., walked attendees through the conceptual plan for the proposed library April 19, during a joint Cadott Village Board and Cadott Library meeting. Following the overview of the plan, village board members and the public had the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback on the plan. Photo by Julia Wolf

By Julia Wolf

“We’re excited to be working toward this modern, new, accessible library,” said Cookie Kaste, Cadott Library Board president. “We believe that it’ll greatly benefit Cadott.”

Those words kicked off a joint Cadott Village Board and Cadott Library Board meeting April 19, at Rick’s Halfway Hall, which was organized to make sure everyone is on the same page, moving forward.

“Libraries aren’t the same as they used to be,” said Kaste. “They’re so much more than just books.”

Kaste started by going over the timeline of events, so far. In 2010, the village and library boards met to begin the pursuit of a joint municipal/library building, and in 2015, the Mills Street location was chosen for the project.

“Unfortunately, that did not materialize,” said Kaste. In 2017, Kaste says the library board looked at the former medical center building for a stand-alone library project, but decided it probably would not work, because of some structural issues. Other vacant buildings and tear-down buildings for the lot were also considered in 2020.

“In 2021, we did another accessibility audit that was completed on our space,” said Kaste. “And I don’t think I have to explain that we probably are not in compliance.”

The library board approached the village about using the Mills Street location in August 2021, which is owned by the village, and Cedar Corp. completed a geological study at the site.

“They decided that it would be a buildable site for a onelevel building,” said Kaste.

That fall, a Building Committee formed, and the library board and Building Committee began touring libraries, to determine what they like and what they don’t.

A concept design was chosen by the library board in 2023. “In order to begin fundraising, we have to have something to work with, to show people what we want to build,” said Kaste, adding that the design is far from the final rendering.

Cory Scheidler, director of architecture at Cedar Corp., gave a brief overview of the conceptual plan, for those present. He says they wanted to design a building that fits in with the area it sits in, which includes the school.

“What we chose, is to go with a precast structure,” said Scheidler.

Some areas have brick applied to the precast and other parts have a stone-like texture. Scheidler explained they like the design, because it is very durable and low-maintenance.

There are also high windows to bring light in and reduce energy costs, and a flat roof, to prevent snow and ice from falling off the roof.

He says the north and south tunnels are pedestrian access points, and they will need to work with the DOT for highway entrances.

Scheidler then turned his attention to the floor plan.

“We tried to create the most flexible and functional library for today, and in the future,” said Scheidler.

The floor plan contains flexible shelving, a study/meeting room, a study/reading nook, a coffee area, a multipurpose room, storage and a small work area for library staff.

“Very simple, very pragmatic,” said Scheidler.

Scheidler says the multipurpose room would work for meetings, like their joint meeting, or could be rented out to other organizations for use. He says they kept the design open and flexible, since they know things will change.

Patti Harm, co-chair of the Capital Campaign Committee, also shared the plans for funding the library. The proposed fundraising plan contains two phases, the first of which is a “quiet phase,” where potential significant donors are approached. The second phase is where the committee will begin to reach out to the community for funding help.

“There are grants available for this purpose,” said Harm, who added application for those will be part of the first phase.

The village could also potentially let the library pursue the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Harm says there are also other grants to pursue and says she feels they have the expertise on their committee to make those happen.

Kaste says the donations and grant money will be channeled through the village office, since the library will be village property.

Scheidler also says the cost of the project is projected at $3 million, which is a turn-key project, including the soft costs like fees, construction, furniture, shelving.

Kaste says the next steps are to finalize the campaign materials, host a community information session and launch the fundraising campaign.

Village board member Bart Chapek says he thinks the 2025 proposed groundbreaking date seems really soon, and questioned if they would have the money in time.

“If we don’t have the money, the building isn’t going to go up,” said Kaste.

John Thompson, IFLS (Inspiring and Facilitating Library Success) director, says the village allowing the library to use the CDBG would help, but the decision on that is up to the village board.

“Having said that, the intent of the fundraising campaign is to try to raise the project costs completely and hope that the Community Block Grant is the icing on the cake,” said Thompson. “The intent is not to assume that is going to happen.”

He pointed out even applying, does not guarantee that the grant will be awarded to the project. Thompson reiterated that the project will not move forward, until the dollars are in place for it to do so. Thompson says, if it becomes clear that the fundraising goal will not be met, the plans may need to be scaled back or changed.

Village board president Randy Kuehni says his concern is that applying for the CDBG grant on behalf of the library, could hinder street projects getting done.

Lynn McIntyre, planning and grant team lead at Cedar Corp., says the CDBG grant can only be applied for every three years, so if they are awarded the grant in 2024, they would not be eligible again until 2027. Other types of grants will not be affected, if the village applies for the CDBG grant on behalf of the library.

Kuehni also asked if the flat roof would need shoveling. Scheidler says they are designed for the snow load and that it would have a slight pitch to slope toward the drain.

Kuehni also asked about the upkeep costs of the proposed building and who would be responsible for them. Scheidler says they have not done analysis of operational costs yet, but tools to do those are available. He also says he is not sure who pays for the operations and maintenance of the current building, but that is something the two boards will have to discuss.

“The building will be designed with a whole lot of efficiencies in place,” said Thompson, adding that there may not be exponential growth in those costs, even with a bigger building.

Village board member Les Liptak says more than doubling the square footage will cost more, regardless of how many efficiencies are built in.

Liptak also asked what the security plans for the building are. Scheidler says the design is very general right now, so the elements worked in now are passive, like avoiding blind corners.

“The more active security systems will come later in the design process,” said Scheidler, adding options like bullet resistance films and vandal resistant films can be considered.

Liptak asked if camera security will be in place throughout the building. Scheidler says there could be a variety of systems used for that.

Liptak also asked about what the monitoring protocol will be for the small study areas. Thompson says the doors will have windows in them, so they are visible from the circulation desk and staff frequently walk around the building helping patrons.

Scheidler says the designs for those areas follow modern trends for libraries. Kaste also added it would be an advantage over the current, two-level set-up.

Members of the public also had time to ask questions and make suggestions about the plan. The location was a top concern for many of the community members present and was also brought up by the village board members earlier in the evening.

Kuehni asked, if the library goes up there, if there will be a fence to keep kids off the highway. Scheidler says a fence isn’t currently included, but can be considered as an option.

“I’m not particularly thrilled about the location either,” said Liptak. “But, from a practical standpoint, you take what you can get.”

He also agreed that they will need a fence, if there is a greenspace and kids will be there.

Cadott resident Amy Wellner says she really likes the proposal, but does not like the location. She says the area by the elementary school is already congested during school drop-off and pick-up times. Wellner also strongly suggested that the school is consulted about the south tunnel pedestrian access, because it could be a security and safety concern for children on the playground, or sports fields.

“We don’t know those people that are going to be walking through that tunnel to get access to the library,” said Wellner.

Scheidler says the DOT may have a grant for an at-grade crossing or be able to lower the speed limit in the area.

“There are options, I guess, that would have to be looked at,” said Scheidler.

Others questioned if even those measures would be enough and said an at-grade crossing will not be safe.

Randy Rykal, community member, says his children used to bike to the library all the time, but he would not have let them bike across State Hwy. 27.

“It is just plain a naturally unsafe area,” said Rykal.

Wellner also asked if other locations have been considered in the past year, since a lot of things have changed recently. Kaste says they looked at the medical building and fitness center before. She says they feel they cannot keep waiting and hoping something else will come up, and it is time to make a decision.

Diana Mackie, library trustee, also says money has already been put into feasibility and soil studies at the Mills Street location.

Wellner agreed that there are pros and cons, and that at some point, it comes time to invest in something. However, she says the safety issues are still very concerning for her.

Kaste says they did talk to superintendent Jenny Starck at the school about the safety concerns.

Community member Carolyn Wanish also pointed out the north tunnel would require people to walk up a grass hill, so use of that doesn’t make much sense either.

Wanish also says she would like a traffic study done. Former village board president Anson Albarado says he did approach the highway commissioner about conducting a safety study on that road once, but they said they would not do one without a plan for the building and parking. He suggested they ask for a safety study again.

Rykal also asked if the rumors of an offer to purchase and tear down a Main Street building for the library were true. Library director Samma Johnson and Kaste both said the offer was never formally made to them directly.

Thompson also says that location would also require an elevator and would not solve the parking issues.

Kuehni says he would like to see the option for taking the multiple vacant buildings on Main Street down and building something there considered.

A frequently asked questions page is also available on the Cadott Community Library’s website, under the building project page.

Kaste says they would like approval from the village board for the conceptual design and to begin the fundraising process, which will be discussed at an upcoming village board meeting.