Architect Jeff Scherer and his team at Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle formally presented the final design for the new Madison Public Library to the public Thursday.
With a final cost set at $29.5 million, developers plan to break ground for the new library in November and hope to be finished after 18 months.
Scherer said there was a lot of anxiety about the design through its creation, but he appreciated the continued community support.
""It requires a certain degree of trust and that we remain open to ideas that may not be our own,"" Sherer said. ""That give and take process is essential in the creation of a public building.""
Traci Lesneski, the interior architect on the team, said the goal was to create a building that would continue to give back to the community for years.
""We want to make sure the building ages gracefully over time,"" Lesneski said. ""We want to make a place where everyone wants to be.""
Along with the creation of a rooftop garden, the plans include the addition of a third floor, art gallery and triples the number of library computers.
One of the topics addressed at previous meetings was the future of the Aaron Bohrad mural currently located in the children's section. The mural would have a place in the library's final designs, Lesneski said.
Exterior architect Doug Hursh, of Potter Lawson Design, said the designs have the capacity for substantial amounts of natural light.
""It's really important for us to activate the space and create a more lively place,"" Hursh said. ""At night you'll be able to see activity inside the building, we wanted the library to really be a part of downtown.""
