Imagination Center at Reindahl Park
July 2, 2025 Update
Quarter 3 2025 Update
Construction progress continues on schedule at the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. The bike path construction and adjacent landscaping work have been completed, with the new bike path now open for public use. The existing Reindahl Park shelter has been successfully demolished and material removal from the site is ongoing.
Current work focuses on temporary power installation and site grading operations. These foundational activities prepare the site for the next phase of construction activities – mainly exterior improvements for the Imagination Center.
Upcoming work includes new construction survey layouts, building footprint establishment, and site utility installations. The General Contractor, Architect, and Engineering teams are actively coordinating Construction Administration efforts to maintain project momentum.
The remaining summer months will concentrate on preliminary site improvements, including completion of grading work, installation of site utilities, and initial exterior improvements. This approach positions the project for facility construction to begin in late summer / early fall.
View past project updates »Project Details
Project Information
Project Overview
Madison Public Library is planning a new library and community facility at Reindahl Park. The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park will be Madison Public Library’s first new library in more than 25 years. It will be a multifunctional indoor-outdoor library and community space and the first-ever library facility located within a Madison Park. People of all ages will be able to gather and learn, utilizing free Wi-Fi and public computers to access online resources for health, wellness, work, school, and more. The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park will be a community hub where people meet for social interaction, civic engagement, and cultural expression. Please visit the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Scoping Study and Imagination Center at Reindahl Park for additional information.
Sept. 12, 2022 update: As part of the design process for the Reindahl Imagination Center, a geothermal test bore and thermal conductivity test will be completed between Sept 20-28, 2022. This is one of the first steps required when designing a geothermal system for larger commercial buildings and provides the design team accurate information about ground conditions. The accurate ground information from both the bore and the conductivity test allow the design team to size the geothermal system. The bore will be ~6 inches in diameter and up to 225 feet deep. It will stay in the upper aquifer (the nearby Unit Well 15 draws water from the lower aquifer). A HDPE U-bend pipe will be inserted into the bore and the space around the pipe will be filled with grout that seals the bore space completely. Testing equipment, running from a generator, will then be connected to the ends of the pipe at the surface for up to 72 hours. This bore will be re-used when the full system is installed as part of the future construction project, which will be permitted by the WI Dept of Natural Resources (WDNR) with input from the Madison Water Utility.
Jan. 09, 2023 update: The Imagination Center is midway through the Schematic Design phase with an expected phase completion in March 2023. Stakeholders are finalizing decisions on the overall floor plan layout and also determining the Imagination Center’s building massing, materiality, building operations, and interior design intent. Upon completion of Schematic Design, the project will enter the Design Development phase, where the design intent is further refined in preparation for the Construction Documentation phase. See the Project Schedule below for more information on milestone Design, Bid, & Construction dates.
Project Schedule
City User Agency: Madison Public Library
Design and Planning: April 2021 - June 2024
1st Advertisement of Bid: February 13, 2025 available only on Bid Express
Contractor's Virtual Bid Talk via Zoom: Thurs. February 27, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
Bid Talk: Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Recording
Bid Talk: Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Presentation Slides
Contractor Site Tour: Monday, March 3, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Meet at the park shelter at 1818 Portage Rd. in the SW corner of the property accessible by Parkside Dr.
Bid Due: April 03, 2025
Construction Start date: April 28, 2025
Expected Completion: July 31, 2026
LEED Goals: LEED Silver Minimum
"All information regarding dates/times/locations are informational and should be verified with official bidding documents posted on Bid Express."
Public Involvement
There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates, times and locations are indicated below:
Public Information Meetings
January 14, 2025 Common Council File #86464
December 18, 2024 Board of Public Works File #86464
Nov. 6, 2023 ICRP Public Information Meeting Recording
Nov. 6, 2023 ICRP Public Information Meeting Presentation Slides
March 29, 2023 Northeast Area Plan Open House
October 27, 2022 Summary of Comments Received at Public Meeting #3
October 27, 2022 Reindahl Park Public Meeting #3 Presentation Slides
October 06, 2022 Public Information Meeting #2 Reindahl Park Master Plan Update
October 06, 2022 Reindahl Park Public Meeting #2 Presentation Slides
August 30, 2022 Public Information Meeting #1 - Reindahl Park Master Plan Update
August 30, 2022 Reindahl Park Public Meeting #1 Presentation Slides
Jan. 27, 2022 Public Information Meeting Recording
Jan. 27, 2022 Public Information Meeting Pre-Design Presentation
City Process Meetings
April 15, 2025 Common Council File #87752
April 09, 2025 Board of Public Works File #87752
Awarding Public Works Contract No. 9610, Imagination Center at Reindahl Park
October 18, 2023 File #79954
Urban Design Commission Informational Presentation
April 19, 2022 File #70661
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an amendment to the existing Purchase of Services contract (Architect) between the City of Madison and Joseph Lee & Associates, LLC to provide professional architectural and engineering design services and construction administrative services for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park project located at 1818 Portage Road
March 03, 2021 File #63945
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a competitively selected, two-step contract for Purchase of Services (Architect) with Joseph Lee & Associates, LLC to provide professional architectural and engineering design services and construction administration services for the design and construction of the Reindahl Imagination Center/Library
In the News
June 30, 2025 The Cap Times
Imagination Center aims to be oasis for northeast Madison families
May 08, 2025 WKOW.com
Madison breaks ground on Imagination Center
May 08, 2025 City of Madison City Channel
News Conference: Imagination Center Groundbreaking May 8, 2025
April 25, 2025 WMTV 15 News.com
Imagination Center at Reindahl Park set to move forward with construction
April 16, 2025 City of Madison News Update
Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Project Moves Forward; Bid Awarded
February 19, 2025 Channel3000.com
City of Madison seeks contractors to bid work for upcoming Imagination Center at Reindahl Park
February 19, 2025 City of Madison News Update
Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Construction Process Begins with Bid Advertisement
Oct. 10, 2024 City of Madison News Update
Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Project to Receive $4.25 Million in Flexible Facilities Program Funding
Oct. 10, 2024 WKOW.com
Imagination Center at Reindahl Park gets $4.25 million grant
Sept. 12, 2024 Isthmus
Sabrina Madison tries to keep Imagination Center alive
August 29, 2024 The Cap Times
Madison’s first park-based library faces budget concerns
August 15, 2024 Channel15.com
Proposed budget cuts could impact “Imagination Center” project
August 2, 2024, Wisconsin State Journal
With or without referendum, Madison has no plan to afford Far East Side 'Imagination Center'
October 24, 2024 City of Madison News Update
Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Moves Forward, Meeting Set
July 31, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Snags delay $16.1 million Imagination Center on Far East Side for 2 years
March 27, 2023 Mayor's Office - Blog
Open House for Upcoming Plans in Northeast Area
July 30, 2022 Wisconsin State Journal
Madison to update master plan for sprawling Reindahl Park as big project there looms
January 26, 2022 Wisconsin State Journal
Madison unveils $16.1 million "Imagination Center" with library, pavilion at Reindahl Park
Mar. 04, 2020: The Cap Times
From civic space to child care, east side residents envision possibilities for proposed Reindahl Imagination Center
Nov. 19, 2019: City of Madison News
Soil Drilling, Testing to Begin in Reindahl Park
Oct. 17, 2019: The Cap Times
Ald. Samba Baldeh: Reindahl Park library would bring services to those with greatest needs
Oct. 08, 2019 Channel 15.com
Snakes and slides: How locals are imagining the Reindahl "Imagination Center"
Jun. 17, 2019: The Cap Times
Reindahl Imagination Center would be more than 'a library in a park'
Soil borings were taken the first week of December 2019 to test the soil for its consistency, strength and durability for the future Reindahl Park Imagination Center:
After the borings are completed, the holes are filled:
