At 10am on Wednesday, March 5th, Scherrer Construction Co. will begin breaking down walls at the former Ace Hardware space that will soon be transformed into the new Meadowridge Library.  The Madison Public Library Foundation will host a construction kickoff to celebrate the beginning of this project and encourage donations to its $100,000 fundraising effort.  The event will be attended by Mayor Soglin, city dignitaries, Library Director Greg Mickells, Foundation Executive Director Jenni Collins, and representatives from Scherrer Construction Co., Inc.
 
“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,” says Mayor Soglin. “We appreciate the partnership of the foundation in making this goal a reality.” 
 
The project will include a trio of 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 that 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 completed by December. 
 
"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 says. “This entire project has been a wonderful collaboration between the library, the city and the community and will benefit all of us.  I am very grateful to be a part of this endeavor."
 
Refreshments will be provided by Friends of the Meadowridge Library.  To encourage donations to the campaign, the Friends are offering a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10,000.  More information about the Meadowridge Library campaign and how to make a donation can be found on the foundation’s website, www.mplfoundation.org, or by calling 608-266-6318.
 
Press are invited to attend the construction kickoff and should RSVP to Tana Elias at telias@scls.lib.wi.us.  Photos of the event will be available upon request.