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The East Lexington Branch Library (The Stone Building) Historic Building Evaluation Report The East Lexington Branch Library, or Stone Building, is a historically significant town -owned property that is in need of major repair. Built in 1832, the building has suffered from deferred maintenance over its long life. This CPA request is to fiend the cost of a study that would make recommendations on the repairs and improvements necessary to preserve and maintain the building, and also define improvements that are needed to continue to use the building for a public purpose. The building is currently not compliant with ADA accessibility standards, which limits its use. This request, for $43,000, would include the costs for a structural study as well as an architectural evaluation that would address code, access and preservation issues. The Stone Building was initially built for Eli Robbins, in 1832, as a lecture hall and private residence. It has been used by the community as a public space since 1832, and owned by the Town of Lexington since 1892 when it was first used as a branch library. Ralph Waldo Emerson and other historically significant speakers lectured here. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the East Lexington Village Historic District. The Stone Building has been on the Town's List of Capital Improvement Projects for a number of years; in January, 2005, the Building Finance Advisory Committee recommended that $120,000 be expended over a period of three years for exterior work on the building The recommendation included the need for a structural analysis as well as window, shutter, gutter, masonry and column repair. These expenditures were not funded due to Town budgetary constraints. It did not address preservation issues, ADA and other types of code compliance. Nor did it identify any uses for the building, which must ultimately be addressed. Regardless of the planned use for the Stone Building, the structural work described above must be completed, and the other building issues should be addressed concurrently. A comprehensive report will provide a complete understanding of the costs associated with all aspects of the Stone Building and will provide a project plan for the building. Future capital requests will be based on this comprehensive evaluation of building needs. The Community Preservation Committee recommends funding this request.