MADISON, Wis. -- The Madison Common Council decided late Tuesday night that a $37 million downtown library project will be a part of the city's capital budget for next year.

Madison residents had a chance to speak out about the city budget during Tuesday's meeting. The public hearing portion included 56 residents who weighed in on big-money projects that could mean jobs for some, WISC-TV reported.

"I've been laid off for almost a month now," said Chad Moore, an out-of-work construction worker.

Moore was one of several construction and trade workers outside the council chambers holding signs in support of a new downtown library and Edgewater Hotel redevelopment project.

"I would say, I probably have about 60 guys on the bench right now, probably anywhere from 15 to 20 percent unemployed right now," said Jim Vick, of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 13.

According to city officials, the $37 million library plan will employ 200 construction workers. Building the new library could begin as soon as next year and open in 2012, they said.

Another big-ticket issue for city budget talks was the Edgewater Hotel redevelopment plan. The city council will continue the discussion on that proposal on Wednesday night to decide whether to spend $16 million of tax increment financing (TIF) funding on the project.

The city would like to cut about $16 million from the capital budget. A vote could come Wednesday.