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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 15, 2006 Medford considers options to preserve Carnegie building By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Efforts to rescue the Carnegie building in Medford are mounting as another board sends a message to the City Council and a local historic preservationist makes a plea to save the 1911 downtown historic building rather than sell it. Cathy de Wolfe, chairwoman of Medford's Historic Commission, said preserving the Carnegie building is in the best interests of the city, and the commission recommends the council find a way to turn it into a cultural center. "Our basic issue is that it be preserved and restored," she said. "The funds to do it may be costly but there's an issue of community support that hasn't been explored." In June, several members of Medford's arts commission voiced a similar plea to the council to keep the building as an arts center. The Historic Commission is scheduled to speak to the council during its meeting at noon Thursday in council chambers at City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford. Advertisement "This is one of the most important buildings in Medford," said George Kramer, a historical consultant in Ashland and chairman of the Oregon Heritage Commission. He said renovation is of paramount importance. "They (the city) are not the right entity to do it so they ought to find someone who is," said Kramer. He said he proposes the city lease it for $1 per year to a group that could approach foundations and boards for funding — similar to what has been done in other communities to save historic Carnegie buildings. "You can't go to the Meyer Memorial Trust and say, 'Can I have a quarter of a million dollars?' for something you don't control," said Kramer. The 95-year-old building, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 and included in the Medford Downtown Historic District in 1995, became vacant when the library moved to the new Central Library building in April 2004. There were 1,600 Carnegie buildings built in North America. The city has considered reinvesting in the building with help from partners or the community; leasing all or part of it; or selling it. The Chamber of Medford/Jackson County is one interested buyer. The building needs renovation, including seismic retrofitting, which could cost $800,000 to $1.5 million, according to preliminary estimates. The city is facing revenue shortfalls and multiple expensive projects, including lack of adequate staffing for police and fire departments and space for city staff. A citizen's committee in 2003 recommended using the building as a cultural and community center, with offices for nonprofit groups and rooms for classes, art shows, performances and receptions. Councilman Jim Kuntz said he liked Kramer's idea of leasing the building for $1 per year to a group dedicated to saving it. "I'm in favor of that," he said. "We've got to figure out exactly who the group's going to be." Both Kuntz and Mayor Gary Wheeler are past presidents of the Southern Oregon Historical Society, so there's appreciation for historic buildings among council members, he said. Selling the Carnegie is still an option, he said. Kuntz is concerned that the building has been sitting empty for more than two years. "I'd just as soon it be occupied by somebody," he said. Kramer said it's important to look long-term and to keep the Carnegie publicly owned. "Fifty years from now the city manager and the City Council will be so glad this was not sold because they'll never be able to buy another block downtown," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews