The City of Beloit and Beloit Public Library have awarded JP Cullen the contract for building renovations at the library.
Sealed bids were opened in a public bid opening with JP Cullen, Gilbank Construction Inc., Klobucar Construction Company, and Corporate Contractors Inc. all submitting bids. Coming in with a bid of $1,742,883.00, JP Cullen won the job. The contract was formally approved by the Beloit City Council during its June 16 public meeting.
“We are thrilled to see this project coming together and know that JP Cullen’s skill and experience will ensure its success,” said Beloit Public Library Director Nick Dimassis. “I especially want to thank all those who have worked so hard over the past few years to make this a reality. So many have contributed—both time and funding—to making the Beloit Public Library the center of our great community. The additional classes and meeting rooms upstairs for public use, and Discovery PLAYce on the first floor, which doubles the educational space and resources for kids and families, will have a vital impact on all facets of our city. I am deeply moved by the amazing support we’ve been receiving. This is great for Beloit.”
JP Cullen is a family-owned general contracting firm out of Janesville, Wisconsin, with more than five generations of experience. Founded in 1892 by John Patrick Cullen, the firm’s capabilities range from restoring historic landmarks to building modern institutional and industrial facilities. Completed such projects include the UW-Madison Camp Randall Student Athlete Performance Center, Fran Fruzen Intermediate School, Northpointe Health & Wellness Campus, and Epic Systems. While headquartered in Janesville, JP Cullen also has offices in Madison and Milwaukee and serves Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and Northwest Iowa.
Library construction will take place in two phases: Phase I, which is funded by the Flexible Facilities Program Grant and handled by JP Cullen; and Phase II, which is funded by a capital campaign and handled by Luci Creative. Angus-Young Associates Inc. of Janesville is the architect for both phases/projects.
Phase I: Library Renovations (July 2025-March 2026)
JP Cullen will handle Phase I renovations, which are currently underway and will transform more than 30% of the building. Its focus will be to bolster services and address four key community needs in a post-COVID-19 environment: workforce development, access to healthcare, high-speed Internet access, and education.
Phase I renovations are covered by a $3,890,558 Flexible Facilities Program Grant that the Wisconsin Department of Administration awarded to BPL this past fall and are expected to be completed by February 2026. The public will begin to notice construction activity, including a shifting of the collection and more limited spaces available for reservation. As the project moves forward, major disruptions will be communicated via the library’s website and social channels.
Second-floor renovations will include the addition of six classrooms and a welcome area. On the first floor, renovations will include moving of the computer lab, genealogy section, and study rooms to the south side where the teen area currently is located. One of the new study rooms will be a private, flexible space that can accommodate such interactions as virtual doctor appointments and job interviews. Most of the adult materials will also be moved to the south side of the building.
Classroom 114 will transform into a Sensory Room to accommodate special programming and provide a controlled, calming, and stimulating environment to help young patrons regulate their senses, emotions, and behaviors.
The Children’s Collection will move into the space vacated by the move of adult materials, genealogy, study rooms, classrooms, and computer lab. The old children’s area will become Discovery PLAYce (Phase II) and be connected to the new children’s area with a new hallway and two new child-friendly restrooms.
Phase II: Discovery PLAYce (February 2026-July 2026)
Phase II renovations will transform the existing children’s area into Discovery PLAYce, a learning environment intended to provide children ages 0-6 and their caregivers opportunities for cultivating essential early learning skills through fun, hands-on activities and experiences. This FREE learning center will be integrated inside Beloit Public Library and feature picture books and prompts throughout for adults to directly connect their child’s play with literacy and brain development.
The library and an ad hoc design committee are working with Luci Creative out of Chicago, Illinois, to create a Beloit-themed space consisting of multiple learning play stations that will evoke curiosity, encourage problem solving, ignite discovery, nurture early cognitive growth, and ultimately, prepare Beloit’s children for a lifetime of learning.
Construction is set to begin in February 2026 and be completed by Summer 2026. This second phase will cost $4,150,000 and be funded by a capital campaign that is currently in its silent phase. The Campaign for Beloit’s Children is seeking gifts and pledges with naming opportunities and will conduct a community campaign so that people throughout Beloit can participate. The public campaign will launch in Summer 2025 with 100 Extraordinary Women.
About Discovery PLAYce @ Beloit Public Library
Discovery PLAYce a learning environment intended to provide children ages 0-6 and their caregivers opportunities for cultivating essential early learning skills through fun, hands-on activities and experiences. This FREE learning center will be integrated inside Beloit Public Library and feature picture books and prompts throughout for adults to directly connect their child’s play with literacy and brain development.
About JP Cullen
JP Cullen is a family-owned general contracting firm with more than five generations of experience. Founded in 1892 by John Patrick Cullen, the firm’s capabilities range from restoring historic landmarks to building modern institutional and industrial facilities. Completed such projects include the UW-Madison Camp Randall Student Athlete Performance Center, Fran Fruzen Intermediate School, Northpointe Health & Wellness Campus, and Epic Systems. While headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin, JP Cullen also has offices in Madison and Milwaukee and serves Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and Northwest Iowa.
About Angus-Young
Angus-Young is a full-service design firm offering architecture, engineering, interior design, and landscape architecture. With more than 65 years of experience and a strong portfolio of civic and educational facilities, the firm is known for its collaborative, client-focused approach and for creating functional, future-ready spaces that serve communities for generations. Based in Janesville, the firm also has locations in Madison and Rockford. Completed projects include Blackhawk Technical College Center for Transportation Studies, Beloit College Powerhouse, Stateline Boys and Girls Club, Healthnet, and Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin.
About Luci Creative
Luci Creative is a world-class museum design firm that ignites discovery, fosters connection, and motivates change. Over the past decade and across more than 90 projects, Luci has built a reputation as both a thought leader and a thought partner for their clients. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in Boston, Seattle, and New York, and a team of more than 50 employees. They work with cultural, civic, and brand clients to create powerful imprint moments: memorable, meaningful, and transformational visitor experiences. Completed projects include Nature’s Playspace at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago, Illinois; Playspaces at Spokane Public Library in Spokane, Washington; Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal, Illinois; Upon a Castle at Chicago Children’s Museum in Chicago, Illinois; and the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
