Photos and Video Tour of New Library
Construction Updates
NCI Project Update February 2021 (pdf - images)
NCI Project Update January 2021 (pdf - images)
NCI Project Update December 2020 (pdf - images)
NCI Project Update November (pdf - images)
NCI Project Update October (pdf - images)
NCI Project Update September (pdf - images)
NCI Project Update August (pdf - images)
NCI Project Update July (pdf - images)
Director Bronna Lehmann gets a tour of the library (Director's Message in the August 2020 eNews)
NCI Project Update June (pdf - images)
NCI Project Update May (pdf - images)
NCI Project Update April (pdf - images)
Project Update – 4-14-20
Belleville Public Library Celebrates New Facility with Groundbreaking
National Construction held a socially distant groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, April 14, to mark the start of construction of the Belleville Public Library and Community Center at its new location anchoring Belleville’s historic downtown district.
"We, as a community, have been working toward the goal of a new library for many years. It is exciting to see the vision finally becoming a reality," said Library Board President Christine Belle.
The 13,805 square foot library and community center will include a community room with kitchen area, training room, large gathering spaces for preschoolers through teens, quiet area for reading, makerspace, study rooms, and public computers. Meeting and training space will be available for community group and business use. In addition to expanded space, the library will be able to offer additional library classes and programs for all ages. The new building was designed to meet the needs of the community for years to come.
“This project has been headed up by a greatly dedicated group of Belleville residents. I would like to encourage those that were waiting for the groundbreaking and construction to give a donation,” said Village President Roger Hillebrand. "That time has arrived." Additional donations will be used for furnishing the new building.
The Village of Belleville launched its “It Takes a Village” capital campaign in November 2016. Generous funds raised and a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development loan made the project possible. “Building a new library is a big project for a small town. We’re so grateful to the many people who helped us reach our goal,” said Library Director Bronna Lehmann.
“The library has always been a focal point for programs and services within the Belleville community far beyond the books and media which it provides. With this much awaited upgrade in facilities, the Belleville Public Library and Community Center will be prepared to continue enlightening, educating, and bringing the people of the community together for programming, resources, and group activities for many years into the future,” said Brian Wilson, Village Administrator and Community Development Authority representative. “The Village of Belleville has grown much over the last 20 years, and it is time for its library to grow as well.”
The project is located at 20 S. Park Street on the former Landmark mill site and is scheduled to open in early 2021. Commercial general contractor National Construction recently completed the Village of Belleville Police Station and has constructed several other area libraries.
“We’re honored to once again support the growth of the Belleville community,” said Jeff Grundahl, owner of the firm, which is based in Madison and also employee owned as a division of JG Development.
The library and community center was designed by architectural firm FEH Design. The public participated in numerous design sessions and public meetings to support and help shape the features of the new facility.
The Belleville Library building fund is held at Madison Community Foundation, which has also provided a $30,000 grant to the capital campaign. A gift in memory of Larry Lasure, a frequent library patron, was the first deposit to the fund.
Starting with the vision of 100 women in 2016 who each donated $1000 for a Teen Area in the new library, many from the community have invested in Belleville’s future by making cash donations or multi-year pledges to this project.
Belleville Library Lovers took advantage of a $150,000 challenge grant from the Schlecht Family Foundation to double their donation. A significant bequeathal from the estate of Betty Quirk and donations from the agribusiness community provided funding for the children’s area. Belleville High School alumni, twenty-seven businesses, local civic organizations, school children and many more all contributed to the new library and community center. The Town of Exeter and the Town of Montrose also contributed.
Belleville has a 140 year tradition of having a library. Belleville Public Library is heavily used by the residents of the village and surrounding townships. The number of items borrowed per capita is more than twice the statewide average. On a typical day 150 people come into the library. More than 6200 children and adults attended the 244 classes and programs offered in 2019. Belleville Public Library is a member of the South Central Library System.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. More information is available at www.rd.usda.gov/wi.
For more information, contact Library Director Bronna Lehmann at blehmann [at] blvpl.org or Village Administrator Brian Wilson at bwilson [at] villageofbelleville.com (bwilson[at]villageofbelleville[dot]com). Information about the library and project updates can be found at www.bellelibrary-wi.org.
Pre-Construction Updates
To read the pre-construction project updates in detail, read those updates here or click on individual dates below.
Project Update -- 2/18/20
The Library and Community Center project has been re-bid. National Construction, Inc. (NCI) once again had the lowest bid at $3,487,102.
Project Update --- 1/9/20
We are moving again toward construction of the new Library and Community Center. USDA Rural Development approved our loan application.
Project Update --- 10/11/19
Good news! The national USDA Rural Development office has finished reviewing our loan application.
Project Update -- 9/12/19
There have been a lot of rumors swirling around town about the new library project.
Project Update - 6/5/2019
A key component of the project -- USDA loan application approval -- has delayed the beginning of construction.
Bid Approved - 2/18/2019
On February 18, 2019, the Belleville Village Board approved a bid by National Construction, Inc. for construction of a new Library and Community Center. The approved base bid plus three alternatives totaled $3,305,803. The basement alternate was not approved. The new building will be at 20 S. Park Street across from Library Park.
The Village plans to build a 13,805 square foot Library and Community Center. The facility will include a community room with kitchen area, training room, large area for preschoolers through teens, quiet reading and local history room, makerspace, study rooms, and public computers. There will be expanded space for materials shelving, comfortable seating, and library classes and programs for all ages.
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