Upper Skagit Library District receives donation of renovated Legion Hall on Concrete's Main Street as new home for the library - Dec 2017
Progress on a new home for the Upper Skagit Library - Feb 13 2017
The former American Legion Hall on Main Street is being prepared to serve as the new home for the Upper Skagit Library. The building has been emptied out, almost singlehandedly by volunteer John Boggs. Many items could be sold, with all proceeds benefiting the American Legion Post. The hall was purchased by local library supporters who are bringing it up to code and making it suitable for public use. The current owners intend to donate the building to the Upper Skagit Library later this year after this work is complete. Until the Library takes ownership of the building, no Foundation or Library District funds will be spent on the remodel. As a first step in the renovations, a licensed asbestos-abatement firm has already safely removed all the floor tiles that tested positive for asbestos. A structural engineer has been brought in to give expert advice. Next up: removing non-bearing internal walls, revamping the plumbing and electrical systems, and installing new windows.
Earlier news about the new path to bigger, better library!
The decision by the American Legion to sell its building in Concrete creates a wonderful opportunity for the Upper Skagit Library to move into a bigger, better facility and expand the services it provides for communities of Eastern Skagit County.
The number of people visiting the current facility has increased dramatically since the Library opened in 2005 in space leased from the county. That space is now often so crowded that library visitors can find no available seat to read, study, work or use the computers. The Library, with the help of its Board of Trustees and other volunteers, has long been seeking a way to expand the facility. The Library, with the help of its Board of Trustees and other community volunteers, has long been seeking a way to expand the facility.
The possibility of renovating the Legion Hall as the new home for the Upper Skagit Library comes at a very opportune time. The Library recently determined that funding construction of a new building on vacant land is not feasible. This possibility was pursued when Glacier Northwest/CalPortland generously offered to donate land near Concrete’s silos as the site for a new library. The costs to develop the site and build a new library far exceeded the amount that could realistically be raised through grants and donations.
The American Legion Hall on east Main Street quickly rose to be the top choice of all possible alternatives that have been explored. Appreciated elements include the building’s wonderful history, its fairly open floor plan, and its size. A move into the 3700-square foot building would more than double the library’s current size. The building is sturdy with high ceilings and concrete floors that can support the library’s many heavy shelves of books and DVDs. New windows and lighting will make it a bright and welcoming space for people of all ages. It seems feasible to renovate the building so the Library could move into a new location as soon as 2017.
The Library looks forward to partnering with the Concrete Heritage Museum and neighbor businesses on safe and ample parking, enhancement of outdoor spaces, and support of community events to both augment and help grow downtown Concrete.
With demand for library space and services at its highest, this move will provide a much needed larger space for the Upper Skagit Library’s base of operations, so we can better serve Upper Skagit communities with the excellent entertainment and information services upon which they have come to depend. When relocated, the library plans to be open an additional day of the week.
For more information about this latest development in the library building project please contact Library Director, Brooke Pederson at bpederson@upperskagit.lib.wa.us, 360.853.7939.
The number of people visiting the current facility has increased dramatically since the Library opened in 2005 in space leased from the county. That space is now often so crowded that library visitors can find no available seat to read, study, work or use the computers. The Library, with the help of its Board of Trustees and other volunteers, has long been seeking a way to expand the facility. The Library, with the help of its Board of Trustees and other community volunteers, has long been seeking a way to expand the facility.
The possibility of renovating the Legion Hall as the new home for the Upper Skagit Library comes at a very opportune time. The Library recently determined that funding construction of a new building on vacant land is not feasible. This possibility was pursued when Glacier Northwest/CalPortland generously offered to donate land near Concrete’s silos as the site for a new library. The costs to develop the site and build a new library far exceeded the amount that could realistically be raised through grants and donations.
The American Legion Hall on east Main Street quickly rose to be the top choice of all possible alternatives that have been explored. Appreciated elements include the building’s wonderful history, its fairly open floor plan, and its size. A move into the 3700-square foot building would more than double the library’s current size. The building is sturdy with high ceilings and concrete floors that can support the library’s many heavy shelves of books and DVDs. New windows and lighting will make it a bright and welcoming space for people of all ages. It seems feasible to renovate the building so the Library could move into a new location as soon as 2017.
The Library looks forward to partnering with the Concrete Heritage Museum and neighbor businesses on safe and ample parking, enhancement of outdoor spaces, and support of community events to both augment and help grow downtown Concrete.
With demand for library space and services at its highest, this move will provide a much needed larger space for the Upper Skagit Library’s base of operations, so we can better serve Upper Skagit communities with the excellent entertainment and information services upon which they have come to depend. When relocated, the library plans to be open an additional day of the week.
For more information about this latest development in the library building project please contact Library Director, Brooke Pederson at bpederson@upperskagit.lib.wa.us, 360.853.7939.
Concrete Joins the Upper Skagit Library District!
All the votes are counted, and it's official: The Town of Concrete voted favorably to annex into the Upper Skagit Library District. This is great news for our community and the library! Concrete residents can obtain library cards and begin checking out materials immediately. Starting in 2017, property in town will be taxed at the same rate as property in the rest of the district to fund library services. Thanks go to all the volunteers who helped with this successful campaign, especially the extraordinary John and Gail Boggs. The Library hosted an Open House on January 2 to welcome all Concrete residents and introduce new patrons to all the library has to offer.