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Commissioners press for stronger code enforcement to protect Carnegie Library, downtown historic fabric
Summary
Commission members raised concerns about the Carnegie Library’s exposed roof, alleged asbestos runoff, and long-term downtown building deterioration, urging code enforcement and potential city-led solutions though no formal enforcement action was recorded.
During old-business discussion, several commission members urged the city to address apparent neglect at locally significant buildings, most prominently the Carnegie Library, which speakers said had its roof removed and was exposed to the elements.
Commission members said the removal of the roof left the structure vulnerable and, because of historic asbestos-tile roofing, caused hazardous material to enter the foundation when it rained. One commissioner told the panel that the property had been listed for sale for some time and suggested the city could cite code violations to push remediation. Another commissioner said code enforcement and a vacant-property ordinance were topics at a recent strategic planning retreat and should be prioritized.
Speakers debated the trade-offs of city ownership or intervention for long-neglected buildings, noting municipal capacity constraints and the high cost of rehabilitating century-old structures. Participants cited regional examples—Hamilton and Lebanon—where redevelopment and market demand helped revive historic downtowns, and suggested stronger enforcement or targeted acquisition could be tools to prevent further loss of historic fabric.
No formal motion or enforcement action was recorded at the meeting; commissioners described next steps as internal follow-up and potential staff coordination with code enforcement and regional partners.
