A $1.3 million repair project has been proposed for the Sewickley Public Library.

Library development associate Michelle Cleary said renovations are needed to the exterior of the original 1923 portion of the library along Thorn Street. They include a new roof, new windows and a new HVAC system for a “one-for-one replacement of aging components.”

“In recent years, the library has experienced both roof leakage in the 1923 building and breakdowns of the current HVAC system,” Cleary said. “The historic windows are showing damage and need to be repaired in order to maintain increased efficiency of a new HVAC system. Particularly now, in the age of covid-19, improved air quality is essential in a public space such as the library.”

Library and borough officials partnered to apply for a Keystone Grant through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, a division of the state Department of Education, to help fund the project. The library would provide half of the total cost to be matched by the grant.

“A generous bequest from the Raymond C. and Martha S. Suckling Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation will provide the matching funds from the library,” Cleary said. “The library is awaiting a decision from Keystone to arrive this month.”

Library officials went before the Historical Review Commission in early October seeking approval for the project.

It’s a requirement to appear before the commission when making changes to properties within any of the Sewickley historic districts.

Commissioners gave a nod for the roof repairs and requested more information about the other improvements.

“We asked for an elevation drawing that showed the 2-foot-increased height of the mechanical units on the roof so that we can better understand how this will look from the streetscape perspective,” said Heather Wildman, commission chair. “They described that the mechanical units need to be raised to function correctly. They are replacing the existing wood windows with new to match existing, and we asked for more information on the dimensions of the muntins, to confirm that they are the same dimension as the existing muntins and that the insulated glass spacers will not be visible.”

Wildman commended library officials for keeping a historical perspective in mind while modernizing the building.

“The library is doing a wonderful job at matching existing materials and retaining the historic character of the structure,” she said. “The mechanical units are currently visible and will be somewhat more visible when they are raised. Concealing HVAC equipment is often a challenge with historic buildings. Everyone wants to give this a thorough review prior to proceeding. We are working together to ensure that all of the details are worked out for the best result possible.”

It’s unclear when the project would receive full approval by the historical review commission or borough council.

More information about library activities is available at sewickleylibrary.org.

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