SOUTHWICK – After only one interested party showed up at the site visit for the Old Library last week, Southwick town officials have decided to extend the deadline for proposals to lease the historic building.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart believes that the extension could be a benefit moving forward.
“We’re going to extend the process to try to generate more interest in the location,” said Stinehart.
According to Stinehart, the site visit will take place in late September, but the exact date hasn’t been announced yet, and the bid opening for the lease of the Old Library will extend into October.
Southwick Old Library. (WNG File Photo)
Stinehart also added that in order to have more exposure for leasing the property, town officials will be installing commercialized boards around the home, which will inform that the building is up for lease.
The Westfield News reported that the Old Library was officially available for lease on August 25. It was noted in the article that interested individuals must comply with the preservation requirements of the old library in order to keep the historic nature of the building. Some of those items include the following:
- All period windows and exterior doors including the trim;
- All interior wainscoting and chair rails;
- The original built-in bookcases on the main floor;
- The interior cornice (crown) moldings;
- The curved ceiling “niche” on the North side of the main room;
- The bead board ceiling;
- The original wood flooring, if applicable;
- Exterior elevations allowing for a handicap ramp on the rear and up to the North side entrance; and historic preservation easement on the property to assure the exterior and certain key interior features will be retained while allowing commercial rehabilitation to be performed
