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Two weeks ago I sat in on a special meeting of the Dodgeville
Public Library Board of Trustees as they listened to three presentations
from three different architectural firms who are interested in
the library's expansion project. Each presentation brought unique
ideas to the table, but like the library board, the last presentation
from HGA blew me away.
To me, the connectivity between the three professionals that presented
from HGA was obvious. This team was concrete as they
explained how they had worked on many projects together in harmony.
It was one of the first things that caught my eye and the eye of
library director Vickie Stangel.
But when they projected on the screen a 3D model of what driving
down Iowa Street from the hospital could look like, I was floored!
The firm had eliminated the front parking lot to the library and
pulled the expansion out to the sidewalk on Iowa Street. Large glass
windows allowed those passing by to see inside the new addition,
and I could almost imagine the building aglow at night with figures
moving around inside. It was very striking.
With the library at the bottom of the hill, just before our downtown,
it could give that extra welcoming effect that currently lacks
in our downtown.
My mind then wandered from the idea of this impressive library to
the idea of this impressive community center, an impressive beacon
into our historic downtown. What a prize we could have in our community.
The library board will be undertaking some extensive fundraising
to make this expansion a reality. I encourage residents to visit the
library, look at the library's needs, visit with staff, and just get a better
understanding on why it is so important to our community and
just how much more important it could be.
With economic development pretty much stagnent in Dodgeville,
could this new "living room" library bring a little more life to town?