Two former Milwaukee library branches are to be replaced by medical facilities, including one that would provide tests for the coronavirus.

The city Health Department has proposed using the former Mill Road Branch Library, 6431 N. 76th St., to provide COVID-19 testing and other services.

That’s according to Jennifer Meyer-Stearns, Milwaukee Public Library deputy director.

She made those comments during a Thursday presentation to the Library Board of Trustees Building and Development Committee.

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The former library would be turned over to the health department at the end of October if the proposal is approved by the Library Board at its Oct. 27 meeting, Meyer-Stearns said.

The Mill Road branch became available for other uses after it was replaced with the July opening of the Good Hope Branch Library, 7715 W. Good Hope Road.

That new four-story building includes the 65-unit Fortitude Apartments on its three upper floors. The apartments opened in fall 2019.

It is the latest in a series of new Milwaukee libraries that have been combined with apartments.

The city pays for the portions of the new buildings that have the library spaces, which it owns. By including apartments, which are owned by private developers, the new buildings also create property tax revenue.

Meanwhile, ICAP Development LLC has proposed buying the former Forest Home Branch Library, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave.

ICAP would demolish the building and develop at that site a one-story, 18,000-square-foot medical office.

That facility would be used by a regional medical provider, according to information ICAP has provided to the Library Board. The firm didn’t identify the medical provider.

The $5 million development would provide such services as urgent care, primary care, radiology, mental/behavioral health, dental and specialty care, according to ICAP.

Brian Adamson, ICAP managing partner, declined to provide additional information.

The sale of the property would need Common Council approval. A sale proposal, including a price, hasn’t yet been filed for council review.

The council in 2018 approved selling the building for $450,000 to immigrant rights organization Voces de la Frontera. The nonprofit group planned to move its headquarters there from 1027 S. Fifth St.

But Voces in 2019 dropped those plans. It will instead move to a building being renovated at 733 W. Historic Mitchell St.

The Forest Home building became available after a new branch library opened in 2017 at 906 W. Historic Mitchell St.

That new library is on the first floor of a redeveloped historic building. The three upper floors have 33 apartments, known as The Alexander Lofts.

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