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Calaveras supervisors direct staff to explore options for aging county archives facility
Summary
Staff told the board the county archives at 46 Main Street in San Andreas faces accessibility, moisture, space, and preservation problems and estimated immediate repairs at about $340,000. The board instructed staff to explore short- and long-term alternatives and return with viable options and cost estimates.
County staff reported to the board that the county archives facility at 46 Main Street in San Andreas has condition, accessibility and capacity problems that put historical records at risk and constrain public access.
Deputy CEO Jamie Andreola said the board was being asked only for policy direction to evaluate options; no financing decision was requested at the Jan. 13 meeting. A building assessment prepared by Lion Atlas identified short- and long-term repair needs estimated at approximately $340,000 and flagged water-intrusion, masonry deterioration, drainage issues, and deficiencies in ADA accessibility and restroom facilities. Archives staff described instances of mold on some items and said the facility lacks adequate temperature and humidity control for long-term preservation.
Board members discussed options that included investing in the existing historic building; building an addition behind or adjacent to the existing structure; temporarily moving vulnerable items to climate-controlled vaults or other county-owned space; and pursuing grants or phased solutions. Several supervisors emphasized the historical significance of the building and the need to both preserve the structure and protect archival materials.
The board voted to direct staff to evaluate alternatives, to identify short-term mitigation (isolation of affected materials, humidity control or vaulting), and to return with viable options and cost estimates for future board consideration.
