The Central Library Disposal Surplus Property Criteria and Selection Committee, appointed by Mayor Cieslewicz to request and analyze development proposals for a new Central Library, will hold a public meeting on Thursday, January 8th at the Central Library at 6:00 p.m.

At this public hearing, the two developers that have responded to the Committee's Request for Proposals - T. Wall Properties and Fiore Companies/Irgens Development Partners - will present their very different plans for a new Central Library, and will be available to answer questions about their proposals. Comments and questions will also be accepted through the library's web site.

The Committee and the Library Board are in the process of analyzing the two proposals to compare costs. The City of Madison 2009/2010 capital budget lists $1.7 million for planning for a new Central, and $28.3 million for construction, which includes $14 million in private fundraising.

More information, including background of the project, existing physical challenges at the Central Library, and links to both plans, is available at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/central