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73 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, August 5, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 2, 2004 Carnegie library requires retrofit By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Arming the 92-year-old Carnegie Library building against earthquakes will likely cost as much as $500,000, city officials said. A recent engineering study called for bolstering the old library’s masonry walls and roof to prevent its collapse in an earthquake. But while the study shed some light on the historic structure’s condition, actual costs for retrofitting and remodeling will largely be driven by the building’s future use, said Jef Faw, Medford’s deputy city manager. "We’re not going to put anybody in there if it’s going to fall down and hurt someone," Faw said. In addition, the Carnegie building contains asbestos, but the study projected no cost for its removal, Faw said. However, city officials are not likely to discuss abating the hazardous material without any plans to remodel the structure, Faw said. No city funds have been set aside for the former Jackson County library building, he said. The Southern Oregon Historical Society and the city’s parks and recreation department have both put in bids to occupy the Carnegie building. The parks department could put $450,000 toward upgrading the building, Faw said. The historical society may contribute an unspecified amount of money from a potential sale of the organization’s downtown History Center, said SOHS Executive Director John Enders. Advertisement "It’s clear the building needs a lot of work, and it’s clear that the building’s worth it," Enders said. Both the historical society and the parks department have said they will take up more than 3,000 square feet, a space limit set by city officials to prevent one group from becoming the dominant tenant in the 15,000-square foot structure. The City Council can ignore that restriction but will likely want the building to include meeting space open to the public, Dyal said. A committee formed to advise the council on the old library’s future recommended its rebirth as a community and cultural center. A report submitted in February outlined the potential for offices for nonprofit groups; multipurpose rooms for meetings, classes and workshops; and a kitchen that could be used by caterers at events. The top floor could be used for performances, art displays, and city and private receptions. The historical society wants the Carnegie building to be a cultural-community complex. In addition to housing its offices and research library, the historical society would allow all groups to hold events and gatherings, and could offer limited office space for small nonprofit groups that don’t have a permanent location. The Carnegie building’s future, including proposals from the historical society and the parks department, will be the topic of a noon City Council meeting on Aug. 26. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times