Madison Central Library remodeling named top public works project in Wisconsin

Madison's $30 million transformation of its central library has been named a 2014 Project of the Year by the Wisconsin chapter of the American Public Works Association, and also is in the running for a top prize from the national organization.

Tyler Smith, chairman of the Wisconsin chapter's awards committee, on Thursday confirmed the library project's top selection in the contest's structural division, calling it "an awesome project" that stood a good chance of also getting national honors when those are announced likely later this month.

The chapter award recognizes excellence in both the administration of public projects and in the quality of collaboration that took place between a project's managing agency, design team and contractor.

Opened to the public on Sept. 21 after 22 months of work, the redesigned space at 201 W. Mifflin St. is both a renovation and an expansion of the former 1965 central branch of the city's library system.

Designed by architects Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle of Minneapolis and Potter Lawson, Inc., of Madison, with Madison-based J.H. Findorff & Son as general contractor, the library was rebuilt to offer much more than just a renewed space to house books.

Noteworthy features include 20 new conference rooms, specially designed space for children and teens, a new art gallery and a community room with built-in audio and visual equipment for workshops, meetings and hands-on classes. The building also has a media lab where library patrons can receive training on software and other technology tools.

"The multiple amenities and 21st century appeal of the renovated library make it more than a place to check out books and study," Findorff's Amanda Byrd said in a statement announcing the award. "It has transformed into an accessible community treasure for generations to come."

Sustainability also was designed into the project's deconstruction and construction phases, with LEED Gold certification long identified as a goal. Elements aimed at reducing waste and saving energy included the building's 10,000-square-foot sedum-covered roof -- sedum is a flowering plant -- with solar panels.

In addition, all the wood products in the building came from forests certified as sustainably managed, Findorff said, with flooring made mostly with recycled tires installed throughout the building. Indoor air quality was protected by paints, sealants and adhesives containing limited volatile organic compounds.

With offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Findorff employs on average 500 construction workers and tradepeople to complete about $300 million in construction annually, Byrd said.

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Madison Central Library remodeling named top public works project in Wisconsin