Priciest option for Wauwatosa city hall and library project is $107M

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By BRIDGET FOGARTY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Wauwatosa residents now have a clearer picture of what it could look like – and how much it could cost – to renovate and update Wauwatosa’s city hall, civic center and public library, which are located together at 7725 W. North Ave.

In a committee of the whole meeting May 12, city staff revealed four conceptual options, ranging in cost from $36.1 million to $107.2 million, for remodeling the 118,000-square-foot building.

The four plans each offer different levels of change – and price tags – for updates to city hall and the library, which the city has discussed for over a decade.

On all options, taxpayers would see an increase on their monthly property tax bills over 20 years. Other funding for the renovations would come from grant support and private fundraising.

The least expensive renovation plan would bring the minimal required updates to infrastructure like decades-old windows and plumbing. The most expensive plan would create an entirely new two-story building for both public spaces, making the library bigger per recommendations provided in studies.

“This space is no longer keeping pace with how people are using it today, or what they’ll need from it moving forward,” Cass Bergemann, president of the Wauwatosa Library Foundation, said during public comment May 12.

No action was taken in the meeting, but the presentation gets the ball rolling for a public outreach campaign and for council members to review plans and receive community feedback.

City staff will continue to collect public input before the Common Council is anticipated to decide which option to move forward on in late July 2026.

Here’s what to know about the four options, how they would hit property tax bills, and how residents can voice their thoughts on the plans:

Wauwatosa presents four potential design concepts for remodeling library and city hall

Option 1 – $36.1 million for required updates

Total projected costs: $36.1 million estimate, if the project begins in spring 2028.

Cost to taxpayers: $8.30 a month to the average homeowner over 20 years. That’s based on the assessed value of the average single-family home in 2026, which is $418,800.

Major changes: Under this conceptual option, the library and city hall buildings would remain in their current locations and only required updates would be made to the space. Costs would cover window replacements, mechanical, electrical and plumbing system replacements, and turn the space into an all-electric energy efficient building. The space would be a total of 132,630 gross square-footage.

Construction duration: 16 months with an estimated spring 2028 start.

Option 2 – $75.8 million for remodeled library and remodeled city hall

Total projected costs: $75.8 million estimate, if the project begins in spring 2028.

Cost to taxpayers: This design would cost around $17.65 a month to the average homeowner over 20 years. That’s based on the assessed value of the average single-family home in 2026, which is $418,800.

Major changes: This conceptual plan would remodel both the library and city hall, keeping both existing spaces in their current locations. The plan would include the needed updates and replacements that “Option 1” also calls for while renovating and expanding the library.

Dozens of new conference, study and children’s rooms are among the changes the library would see. Other amenities include a young adult and teen program space, a maker space, a sensory room and accessible restrooms with an adult changing table.

For city hall, this plan would repurpose underground parking and bring an improved entry plaza with seating. It would become all-electric, energy-efficient building, New solar panel parking structures in the current parking lot would help the city achieve net zero emissions while offering covered parking for visitors.

Option 2 would also include a library entrance on the east side, with the city hall entrance on the west side.

Construction duration: 22 months with an estimated spring 2028 start.

Option 3 – $95.7 million for brand-new library and remodeled city hall

Total projected costs: $95.7 million estimate, if the project begins in spring 2028.

Cost to taxpayers: This design would cost around $23.52 a month to the average homeowner over 20 years. That’s based on the assessed value of the average single-family home in 2026, which is $418,800.

Major changes: This plan would provide a big switch up in the city hall and library setup residents are currently used to. Option 3 offers a concept that would move city hall into the current library space, which is on the east side of the property.

The oldest parts of the building would be removed to create a 77,000-square-foot, two-story library with dozens of new conference, study and children’s rooms. Other amenities include a local history room, young adult and teen program space, a maker space, a sensory room and accessible restrooms with an adult changing table.

New solar panel parking structures in the current parking lot would help the city achieve net zero emissions while offering covered parking for visitors.

Flexible meeting spaces could be used for both city meetings and public community use.

Construction duration: 17 months with an estimated spring 2028 start.

Option 4 – $107.2 million for both a new library and new city hall complex

Total projected costs: $107.2 million estimate, if the project begins in spring 2028.

Cost to taxpayers: This design would cost around $26.91 a month to the average homeowner over 20 years. That’s based on the assessed value of the average single-family home in 2026, which is $418,800.

Major changes: This most-expensive concept would replace the existing building with a brand new city hall and library connected by a central lobby and common space.

The 45,000-square-foot, two-story city hall would be on the east side of the property. The 77,000-square-foot, two-story library on the west side of the property.

All the major programming detailed in Option 3 would also be offered in Option 4, including a bigger focus on youth programming spaces in the library. Flexible meeting spaces across the building could be used for both city meetings and public community use.

New solar panel parking structures in the current parking lot would help the city achieve net zero emissions while offering covered parking for visitors.

Construction duration: 20 months with an estimated spring 2028 start.

Timeline for public engagement and decisions

Now that the city has revealed four different options to upgrade city hall and the library, here’s what comes next:

• Members of the public who attend the State of the City address May 14, will see the concepts in person. The event is open to the public and will occur from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Tosa Room at the Muellner Building at Hart Park, 7300 Chestnut St.
• The city will ask the public for feedback on the concepts from May through July.
• By the end of July, public feedback will be presented back to the Common Council. Council members are anticipated to make a decision about the project July 28.

Editor’s note, 5/13/2026: This story was updated to provide the correct amount Option 1 would cost taxpayers monthly.