Council authorizes architect negotiation

The Cathlamet Town Council held a special meeting last Friday and affirmed the selection of an architectural firm to design the remodeling of the old town hall and library.

Mayor George Wehrfritz said a committee composed of librarians and library board members evaluated the seven firms that responded to a request for qualifications to design the project.

The committee recommended Chesshir Architecture PC of Portland.

The firm, Wehrfritz said, has much experience with renovating old buildings in Portland, and that was a major factor in the committee's recommendation.

The council voted to accept the recommendation and to authorize Wehrfritz to negotiate a contract with the firm.

Wehrfritz said he would try to have something to present at the council's meeting next Monday.

Overall, he said the firm felt the work could be completed this year.

The project calls for major renovation of the library in the upstairs of Town Hall and major changes in the lower floor which housed town offices and the fire hall. The lower portion will become archives and a community center.

Town officials plan to keep the library open during the work. They and library board members have been scouting possible locations to relocate the library temporarily.

The town has leased offices across Main Street in the Scarborough Building for town offices.