Public invited to view library, City Hall architectural design

By DEAN REA/Correspondent/The Herald — The preliminary architectural design of Lowell’s library and City Hall at 70 N. Pioneer St. will be presented for public review at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The design by Curt Wilson, a Eugene architect, is based on suggestions offered by city officials and residents during a June 5 “visioning workshop” and is expected to be further refined after Thursday’s meeting, reports City Administrator Jeremy Caudle.

Earlier the city council approved a $53,000 architectural services agreement with Wilson. The architectural work consists of planning, design and construction administrative services for the renovation of approximately 2,723 square feet of the building.

Prior to 2019, the city housed its library in the City Hall building located at 107 E. 3rd St. Due to structural deficiencies the library portion was closed. The city purchased a former church building at 70 N. Pioneer St. to house the new library, but it has remained closed pending upgrading. The city has a collection of approximately 15,000 books, DVDs and other materials that it will locate to the remodeled facility.

The city is funding the design phase through its general operating budget and anticipates funding construction through a combination of grants from private foundations and other government entities and with donations that have been received.