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63 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, September 17, 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 How To Guide 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 August 27, 2004 City wants Carnegie analysis Medford plans to hire architect and design team to map out code needs, potential uses By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune The city of Medford wants to bring in a team of experts to map out how to transform the old Carnegie library into a multi-use community building. A citizen committee formed last year recommended that the building become a cultural and community center with offices for nonprofit groups and meeting rooms for classes, art displays, performances and receptions. "The committee has given us a nice framework to start with," Mayor Lindsay Berryman said in a Thursday study session of the City Council. "Now we are interested in getting a clearer vision." The city plans to hire an architect and design team to determine how the 15,000-square-foot structure could accommodate offices and meeting rooms. "If we retain an architect for design and spacial analysis, we can create a statement of what we want," council member Jim Kuntz said. Advertisement After receiving the committee’s report in February, the city called for proposals from agencies that were interested in managing the building’s renovation and operation or were interested in leasing space. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Southern Oregon Historical Society submitted proposals. "We’ve been hoping to continue the dialogue," said John Enders, the historical society’s executive director. The historical society has listed its downtown building at 106 N. Central Ave. for sale and is contemplating a move of its headquarters and research library. It is considering space in Jacksonville and would like to have a presence in Ashland, he said. However, it also wants to remain in downtown Medford and would like to have some offices and its research library in the Carnegie building, alongside open areas for public gatherings. "I think our vision and that of the mayor and council coincide," Enders said. The parks department proposed moving its offices from City Hall to the Carnegie building, instead of the Santo Community Center as scheduled, to stay close to other city offices and be accessible for classes, and meetings. City Manager Mike Dyal said the department would prefer to expand within City Hall if a new police station is built. Council members Kuntz and Bob Strosser said Thursday they didn’t want city offices in the former library. "I’m opposed to more city offices," Strosser said. "I want this as community space." A clear vision of the building’s future use will help pin down the cost to renovate and update the structure, officials said. The city commissioned a study this summer to determine the work needed to bring the 83-year-old building up to current code standards. Engineers estimated the building would need up to $447,000 of retrofitting so it could withstand an earthquake and about $264,000 worth of other repairs, for a total of $711,000. The engineers’ report said retrofit costs could vary depending on how the bottom floor is configured. The report also didn’t include possible costs for interior decor, facade work or improvement to the grounds. It also noted some additional work — like a new roof — might be needed soon. There is no plan at this point for where the money for the renovations would come from, but officials believe grant funds are available for such work. The council used $27,978 from its discretionary fund to pay for the engineers’ study and would tap that fund again to hire an architect and design team. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, 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 SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities