Construction on library, community center set to start

Construction to transform an old retail space into the new Meadowridge Library on Madisons west side will start March 5.

Scherrer Construction Company will start breaking down walls at the former Ace Hardware space Wednesday, March 5 at 10 a.m., according to a release.

The Greentree, Orchard Ridge, Meadowood and Prairie Hills neighborhoods needed an improved hub of community engagement and activity with a scope broader than the existing library, Madison Mayor Paul Soglin said in the release. We appreciate the partnership of the foundation in making this goal a reality.

The project will feature three new spaces including 2,000 additional square feet of library space with special areas designated for computers, teens and children, an expanded Meadowood Neighborhood Center and 3,000 square feet of shared space featuring a 110-person meeting room and community kitchen, according to the release. The kitchen space will host after-school snack programs, nutrition workshops and neighborhood suppers.

The library portion of the $2.3 million project will cost $1.7 million, with construction expected to be complete by December, officials said.

The Meadowridge Library is already well loved, and I am certain that our patrons will be thrilled with this bigger and better new library, Meadowridge Library Supervisor Alice Oakey said. This entire project has been a wonderful collaboration between the library, the city and the community, and will benefit all of us.

The Madison Public Library Foundation will host a construction kickoff event to celebrate the beginning of the project and to raise donations for the project, organizers said.

Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Meadowridge Library at the kickoff event, according to the release. To encourage donations, the Friends are offering a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10,000.

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Construction on library, community center set to start