LAKEPORT >> The feasibility study for the Carnegie Library in Lakeport has been completed.
San Francisco-based Garavaglia Architecture, compiled the study to suggest potential uses and their associated costs for the facility, which is located at 200 Park St. in Lakeport.
“They did a good job in estimating some of the renovations that have to be done for just about any use without losing the historical integrity,” Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira said.
Discussions have been underway for more than six months regarding work on the historic structure. In July, the Lakeport City Council discussed renovations which would include making the facility completely compliant with the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as the construction of an elevator and building a deck.
An estimate for the total costs of the work was projected to reach about $250,000.
A month prior to the council’s discussion, a community workshop was held to determine potential uses for the library. Principal Architect Michael Garavaglia led the workshop to garner feedback and comments from the public.
Garavaglia was chosen as the consulting firm that will perform the feasibility study because of their familiarity with working on historic structures, as well as analyzing and assessing historic buildings, according to Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee Chair Wilda Shock.
As a whole, the building’s exterior is in excellent condition, suffering only minor deterioration, Garavaglia said. As for the interior of the library, the wood shelving and circulation desk are in excellent condition, but there is damage to plaster in some spots.
Proposed uses for the building, which were presented by approximately 20 people after small group workshops, included transforming the building into a museum or art gallery, as well as a small scale community center and environmental research center.
The library was built in 1918 as part of the Carnegie Library System, but had outgrown its original purpose by 1985. After closing, the building was used as a satellite laboratory for the University of California in Davis, it was also used for additional city offices.
In 2008, the library was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The final report is expected to be presented to the Lakeport City Council by early February.
“At this point no decisions have been made,” Silveira said. “The project is kind of in a lull until the study is presented to the council.”
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
