Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Project to Receive $4.25 Million in Flexible Facilities Program Funding

MADISON, WI - Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) announced this week that the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park will receive $4.25 million in grant funding through the DOA's Flexible Facilities Program (FFP).

"We're working to build the 21st-century infrastructure and workforce Wisconsin needs to meet the demands of the 21st Century, including expanding access to high-speed internet. Every Wisconsinite should have access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet, and these investments will help build upon our work to close the digital divide, especially in our rural areas and communities," said Gov. Evers. "I'm incredibly proud to be working alongside our dedicated state agencies and federal partners to help bolster our public infrastructure, including supporting our libraries and community centers and expanding access to critical services for folks in every corner of our state," said Governor Evers, in a press release issued on October 7, 2024.

The Imagination Center is a unique collaboration that involves four partners - Madison Public Library, City of Madison Engineering, Madison Parks, and Madison Public Library Foundation - situated in Reindahl Park on the City's northeast side.

"The CPF-FFP funding for the Imagination Center is a major step toward bringing our vision of a dynamic community hub to life. This project is about more than just a library; it's about fostering creativity and providing resources for District 17 and beyond. Many thanks to my constituents including the Greater Sandburg area, former district Alders Joe Clausius, and State Representative Samba Baldeh for their continued advocacy and support for the Imagination Center. There is still work to be done, but this funding is great progress!" said Alder Sabrina Madison (District 17).

Funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) Capital Projects Fund (CPF) as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's American Rescue Plan Act, FFP grants will fund public facility expansion or improvement projects designed to provide reliable broadband access to local communities, including libraries, community centers, and multi-purpose community facilities in order to address critical requirements of digital and broadband access resulting from or exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. The grants included 35 projects for a total of $115 million.

"I'd like to thank Governor Evers for supporting this worthy project with a substantial capital investment. The Greater Sandburg area is one of the fastest-growing parts of Madison and we need to expand services to meet this need. This project is a perfect example of how we do it," said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. "I'm looking forward to working with local leaders to secure the ongoing funding needed to make the Imagination Center a centerpiece of Madison's east side."

"We're so grateful to Governor Evers and the DOA for this grant, which will bring life-changing services to northeast side residents, providing opportunity for personal and economic growth, and much-needed connections to a variety of city services," said Madison Public Library Director Tana Elias. "We're also thankful for the City of Madison's funding commitment and Madison Public Library Foundation's fundraising efforts which, in combination with this award, will allow us to move forward together to make this project a reality."

"The FFP grant is the result of months of work by library and foundation staff," said Madison Public Library Foundation Executive Director Conor Moran. "The timing of this award aligns perfectly with our capital campaign, which has been steadily building momentum over the past year. We're thrilled to work side by side with the library, City Engineering, and Madison Parks, and collectively take a big step toward giving the city's northeast side residents a library and community-centered facility to call its own."

Reindahl Park is located off East Washington Avenue in a fast-growing, diverse neighborhood that is largely cut off from City services. According to 2020 Census data, the population grew by 19% between 2010 and 2020, compared to 16% of Madison as a whole; predicted growth in the next decade continues to be higher than average for Madison. 13% of residents were born outside of the United States and 41% of residents are residents of color, compared to 31% of Madison as a whole. The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park will offer high-speed internet and computer access, meeting and study rooms, enclosed park pavilion spaces, and digital connectivity equipment and devices that will enable remote access to work, education, and health monitoring activities and resources. The facility will serve over 19,300 individuals.

"We are excited to see the Imagination Center continue to move forward, as it will have an incredibly positive impact on the northeast side of Madison. We are thankful for the support from the Governor's office and the DOA, which further demonstrates the significant value of the Imagination Center to serve and benefit the northeast Madison residents as well as the entire community," said CJ Ryan, Madison Parks Assistant Superintendent.

The project is expected to go to bid this winter, with construction completed in summer of 2026. See the full timeline on the City of Madison Engineering Department's project page, and learn more about the project at madpl.org/reindahl.

Madison Public Library's tradition of promoting education, literacy, and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for nearly 150 years. Visit the library online at madisonpubliclibrary.org and @madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook and Instagram.

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