Historic Carnegie Library in Phase One of Multi-Phase Repairs

The City of Lavonia is moving forward with repairs to the exterior the Carnegie Library.

At the city council meeting earlier this month, city manager Gary Fesperman gave the council and mayor Ralph Owens an update.

Fesperman repairs to outside of the historic building is the first of a multi-phase repair project.

“We’re currently in phase one, which is a removal of gutters and replacement of damaged facia and soffet boards as well as some minor roof repair,” Fesperman said.

According to Fesperman, workers have not found any major structural damage to the 103yr old building, but they have discovered more damage to the brick work under the exterior stucco than previously thought.

“There will be a quick coating applied over the some of the texture to the brick,” he said. “As you well know over the years, underwent several sandblasting through the years and cut some of the coating off the brick, which is why some moisture has entered into the building.”

Fesperman told the council and mayor that special coating will  prevent any more moisture getting inside.

The exterior repairs is phase one of a three-phase process, which is expected to take two years to complete.

All of the repairs and renovations to the library are being paid for with SPLOST funds.