Milwaukee Public Library Martin Luther King branch redevelopment moves ahead | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Public Library
December 21, 2016
Milwaukee Public Library Board of Trustees last night selected Young Development to lead a new mixed-use project to replace the current Martin Luther King Library at 310 W. Locust Street. In his 2014 budget, Mayor Tom Barrett prioritized redevelopment of the library branch system in a multi-year building and renovation program with an investment of $21.5 million over five to seven years. The project calls for rebuilding four branches – Forest Home (which will be replaced by the new Mitchell Street branch in 2017), Mill Road, Capitol and Martin Luther King. The four branches scheduled for rebuilding will be redeveloped as part of mixed-use projects – a more affordable approach.
Young Development, responding to a Request for Proposals (RFP) in October of 2016, has put forth a mixed-use project that includes a 17,000 square foot library with 1,400 square feet of retail space and 44 market-rate apartments. Parking for 51 visitors and 45 residents is included in the proposal.
“Milwaukee’s libraries are a vital part of our community,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “I believe that an investment in libraries is an investment in economic stability in our neighborhoods – improving access, economic opportunity, education and quality of life in our neighborhoods.”
“In 2018, we will open the doors to a brand new, modern Martin Luther King branch library,” said Library Director Paula Kiely. “As with Villard Square and our East Branch libraries which have already opened, and our Mitchell Street branch opening in 2017, MLK users can expect to have a 21st century environment, rich with technology and flexible spaces for interaction and community connection.”
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More information about the project, including visual renderings of Young Development’s proposal can be viewed at: http://mpl.org/about/library_development/martin_luther_king.php