There will soon be construction activity on the old Landmark feed mill site in Belleville. The Community Development Authority (CDA) of Belleville has awarded a $3,487,102 bid to National Construction to build a new Library and Community Center.

The 13,800 square foot facility will be constructed in 2020, and open to the public in early 2021. A ground breaking ceremony is being planned for April at the 20 S. Park Street site, across from Library Park.

"Construction of a new Belleville Public Library and Community Center will serve to anchor both the Downtown and Railroad Corridor while providing upgraded capabilities and capacity for our public library," said Village Administrator Brian Wilson. "This will enable us to better serve our residents and businesses while promoting the community to visitors and new residents as we continue to grow with 27 new homes permitted in 2019."

The new one story 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 floor space for materials shelving, comfortable seating, and library classes and programs for all ages.

Community support through a successful $1 million capital campaign and continued donations has been an essential component to achieving this new asset for the Belleville area.

On March 5th, Belleville Elementary School students held a Read-a-Thon to benefit the new public library by collecting pledges totaling $1,330.75. Students in 4K through 6th grade gathered in Hageman Gym to read for thirty minutes.

"We have a strong school-library partnership in Belleville," said Kiley Ogodogu, the school's District Library Media Specialist and also a Belleville Public Library board trustee. "The kids are very excited to contribute to the new library that they will use. It is so wonderful to see them engaged in service learning and demonstrating the Wildcat Way."

Updates on the project can be found at http://www.bellevillelibrary-wi.org. The floor plan is posted in the lobby of the current library, at 30 S. Vine Street. Questions can be directed to Library Director Bronna Lehmann at (608) 424-1812 or Village Administrator Brian Wilson at (608) 424-3341.