What's the project being considered?

After years of community feedback and council direction to hire a construction management company to scope out options, we’re nearing a decision on the future of the Wauwatosa Public Library and City Hall building.

By late July 2026, we’d look to the Common Council for direction on a concept, which would inform a fundraising campaign.

On this page, you'll find the four concepts, cost details, a timeline of public engagement, and a way to give your feedback.

Preview the Options

What will this include?

  • Replace windows
  • Existing library and city hall to remain in current locations
  • Replace mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems
  • All-electric, energy efficient building
  • Potential to be Net Zero with 100% of annual energy supplied by renewable energy


What will this include?

  • Existing library and city hall to remain in current locations
  • Repurpose underground parking for city hall
  • Replace windows and add windows
  • Entry plaza with seating
  • Replace mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems
  • Renovated and expanded library with:
    • Expanded community meeting rooms (2)
    • Conference rooms (4)
    • 12 Study Rooms
    • 3 Children’s study rooms
    • Quiet reading room
    • Young Adult and teen program space
    • Larger student commons
    • Maker Space
    • Larger story time room
    • Sensory room
    • Local history room
    • Improved book returns with exterior drop
    • Children’s discovery garden and outdoor program space
    • Expanded lobby
    • Improved security
    • Accessible restrooms with adult changing table
  • All-electric, energy efficient building
  • Net Zero with 100% of annual energy supplied by renewable energy

What will this include?

  • City hall moves into current library space
  • Replace windows
  • Replace mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems
  • Entry plaza with seating
  • Remove oldest parts of the building to create a 77,000-square-foot twostory library with:
    • Expanded community meeting rooms (2)
    • Conference rooms (4)
    • 12 Study Rooms
    • 3 Children’s study rooms
    • Quiet reading room
    • Young Adult and teen program space
    • Larger student commons
    • Maker Space
    • Larger story time room
    • Sensory room
    • Local history room
    • Improved book returns with exterior drop
    • Hold lockers
    • Children’s discovery garden and outdoor program space
    • Expanded lobby
    • Improved security
    • Accessible restrooms with adult changing table
  • All-electric, energy efficient building
  • Net Zero with 100% of annual energy supplied by renewable energy


What will this include?

  • Existing building replaced
  • New 45,000 SF 2-story city hall on east
  • New 77,000 SF 2-story library on the west with:
    • Expanded community meeting rooms (2)
    • Conference rooms (4)
    • 12 Study Rooms
    • 3 Children’s study rooms
    • Board room/conference room
    • Quiet reading room
    • Young Adult and teen program space
    • Larger student commons
    • Maker Space
    • Larger story time room
    • Sensory room
    • Local history room
    • Improved book returns with exterior drive-up book drop
    • Hold lockers
    • Children’s discovery garden and outdoor program space
    • Expanded lobby
    • Improved security
    • Accessible restrooms with adult changing table
  • Central lobby and common space
  • Entry plaza with seating on both the north and south
  • Net Zero, an all-electric, energy-efficient building with 100% of annual energy supplied by renewable energy

Estimated Costs

The project will be funded from a mix of private fundraising, grant dollars, and the capital budget (taxpayer dollars).

Funding Assumptions: Grant funding of $8M for Option #1 and private fundraising and grant funding of $16 Million for Options 2-4.

Option 1

Required Updates

Option 2

Remodeled Library & Remodeled City Hall

Option 3

New Library & Remodeled City Hall

Option 4

New Library &

New City Hall

Total Gross Square Footage (GSF)

132,630 GSF

137,128 GSF

135,195 GSF

133,306 GSF

Total Project Costs

(Spring 2028 start)

$36.1 Million

$75.8 Million

$95.7 Million

$107.2 Million

Total Project Cost Per Square Foot

$/Gross Square Feet (GSF)

$272/GSF

$553/GSF

$708/GSF

$804/GSF

Tax Impact (cost per month for 20 years for an average home of $418,800)

$8.30

$17.65

$23.52

$26.91

Construction Duration

16 Months

22 Months

17 Months

20 Months


General Renderings

These renderings are intended to illustrate the overall vision and opportunities of the project. Final designs, materials, layouts, and features will continue to evolve through community input, budget considerations, and the formal design process.

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