Missions to save historic buildings in community

Key players in the renovation of the library prepare for the final walk thru last Thurs. evening. Pictured l to r: Library Board member, Kristine Groh, Librarian, Debbie Sturman, Library Board member, Randi Ross, Architect Kurt Dubbe, Contractor Frankie Spiegelberg, and County Commissioner Greg Stark. Photo/Lacey Brott While driving down the street in Lusk, you may have noticed some extensive work being done at Carnagie Library. Frankie Spiegelberg, and his crew, of Spiegelberg Lumber and Building Co., in Laramie, Wyo., has just wrapped up the restoration of the historic windows at Carnagie Library. Our company has had extensive experience with historical renovations. said Spiegelberg. We renovated the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie and have been all over the state.

County Commissioner Greg Stark said, The library really wanted to keep the original windows, so we started researching. For years, we looked at how to restore the windows without having to replace them completely. We did have to replace the ones downstairs, because they were failing. Originally, Librarian Debbie Sturman and Stark, were working with an architectural company out of Cheyenne, when they were put in touch with architect, Kurt Dubbe, of Dubbe-Moulder Architects from Jackson, Wyo. I thought we had a great opportunity to improve the thermal performance of the building, with the maintaining of the current windows. We did some cost evaluation that proved to us that the restoration of the windows, plus the introduction of new, thermally efficient, removable storm windows would be a very affordable project, at a fraction of the cost of replacing them all together. With Debbies persistence, the historic windows have been saved. Its been a great relationship of the principal players in the project. The county commissioners, the library board, the contractors, and the design team. We are hopeful that that same team can be carried through as we present this evening with the jail project. said Dubbe.

Sturman said, The library was put into contact with the state energy office where they received money for an energy audit. Some other things were also identified, along with the windows, needing to be replace, was a new boiler, a new door for the south side entrance, and some new lighting. A new lamp will hang over the front door and new LED lighting in the newer portion. The rest of the money to do the project, came from the Wyoming Association of Municipalities and Wyoming County Commissioners Association, or WAM-WCCA. WAM-WCCA is a lease program, or interest free loan they received for ten years. It can only be used for public or municipal buildings. The proof will be in the pudding as we head deeper into the winter months and the library starts receiving our energy bills. said Dubbe.

A hearing was also held last Thurs. evening Dec. 4, at 7, at the Niobrara County Courthouse. The public listened in on a proposed plan to rehabilitate, and build an addition to the current Niobrara County Historic Jail. Stark, Dubbe, and Spiegelberg, presented their ideas and layout plan at the meeting. Dubbe showed a quick power point covering all points of the proposal with the jail.

According to the design plans project narrative, provided by Dubbe-Moulder Architects, the proximity to the Niobrara County Courthouse is undervalued by the current physical disconnection. The architects would like to connect the two buildings with an enclosed vestibule, which will allow access to additional county office space. The jail was built in 1914. With a garage addition built in the 1950s or 1960s. An enclosed porch facing the street, was also added. They propose the garage addition be removed, and a new two story structure be built in its place. The new structure will hold the connecting stairwell and elevator as well as offices, additional storage, and vault space. Where the original jail cells are located on the first floor, the architects want to remain, but convert the space into an exhibit and display space, for the public of which the Carnagie Library would look after. They would like to remove the enclosed porch on the second floor, and build a new one depicting the original.

Dubbe also pointed out the business rehabilitating the jail would bring to Lusk. People love to stop along the road and read historic plaques, as well as stop in all the small communities and find out a little bit more about what makes that community tick. He also talked about the positive effects listing one or all three of the buildings, The Carnagie, jail, and courthouse, on the national historic registry. There are absolutely no restrictions or limitations when placing a property on a historic registry. Its strictly honorary. Its a celebration of our history. The benefits of placing the buildings on the historic registry, can be monetary, such as tax credits, grant opportunities at the state and national level, the Wyoming business council, and the cultural trust fund. [Other benefits] a slight relaxation of certain accessibility codes, as long we do not make an existing condition any less safe than it already is. said Dubbe.

Many questions were asked by the public attending the meeting, and answered by both Dubbe and Stark. So far this is just a proposed plan, and nothing has been set in stone, but with the support of the community they hope to set forth a plan of action soon.

Dubbe-Moulder Architects would also like to stress the importance of, that any new additions or alterations will respect the historic materials and features that define the property and be in compliance without the secretary of interiors standards for the treatment of historic properties.

Lacey Brott

Contributing Writer

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Missions to save historic buildings in community