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39 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, April 12, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 25, 2005 Jim Dix of Medford�s Parks and Recreation Department helped spruce up the grounds of the Carnegie Library building Thursday. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli City weighs Carnegie future An architectural firm suggests the types of uses compatible with the historic building that once housed the city’s public library By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune A culinary school is among many uses proposed for the vacant Carnegie Library building in downtown Medford. The city hired local firm Architectural Design Works to help set goals for use of the now-vacant historic building, former home to Medford’s branch library. The architects presented five options to the City Council, which decided to bring the matter back to the public. "We want to get some direction from you because we’ve reviewed all the information from the study group (the Carnegie building committee) and it’s very broad," said architect Jac Nickels during Thursday’s council study session. Architect Beverly Thruston told the council that 1,679 Carnegie libraries were built around the country from 1886 to 1918. "Over half the Carnegie libraries have been outgrown," she said. Advertisement New uses of the structures nationwide range from condominiums to museums to circuit courts, she said, with art centers being a favorite use in Oregon and Washington. The five proposals by the architects included: A meeting center and nonprofit office space made up of offices and meeting rooms. A cultural art center with spaces for classrooms, exhibits and offices. A community center with classrooms, dance studio, meeting rooms and offices. A bookstore with caf� and outdoor patio. A reception center/culinary school with banquet rooms, meeting rooms and a kitchen classroom. Weighing issues such as who would pay for renovations (once estimated at $700,000) and what role the building would play downtown, the council discussed several aspects presented by the architects. "I kind of see it as a civic-center focus," said Councilman Bob Strosser. Several council members nodded in agreement. Councilwoman Claudette Moore pointed out that the citizen committee had supported the idea of mixed use, with some retail space, some civic space and some event space. When it came to who would use the building, several council members indicated they’d like to see it at least partially open to the public. "I’d like to see some of the (Southern Oregon) Historical Society stuff that they’d like to put out in these rooms," said Strosser. "I see this as a culturally significant asset for our valley." In discussing how to pay for renovation and operations, several council members suggested a combination of grants and fees generated by building users, with the building ultimately being self- supporting if not generating a profit for the city. "We own this building free and clear," said Moore, adding that any rent generated could be used to pay off some kind of bond. "We’re really in pretty good shape here." Councilman Skip Knight suggested including the Medford Urban Renewal Agency in the building’s future. After the meeting, MURA Director Kurt Olsen said a MURA/Medford partnership for funding options would be possible, depending on the plan chosen. The council decided to bring the matter back before a public hearing, which would happen sometime in the next couple months. City Manager Mike Dyal said the city is taking its time deciding on the Carnegie building’s future because this is determining the next 50 years for an important structure. He added that there’s no money in the city’s budget for the renovation. He said the architects’ presentation was helpful. "While the first committee did a good job, now there’s more structure," he said. "Now we’re down to five combinations of ideas. There has been a narrowing of the field, a sharpening of the focus." Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Fasa Advertisement s