On August 20, the Pagosa Springs Planning Commission, acting as the Design Review Board, approved a design proposal from the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library for its plan to renovate and expand the facility by more than 3,000 square feet.
The library is currently located in an existing 7,500-square-foot building, and the proposed project includes interior and exterior upgrades and “improvements to the entire site,” including “redesign of the existing parking lot, a large community reading garden, and a smaller nursery,” according to an agenda document on the matter.
A project overview document prepared by the project’s architects, Reynolds Ash + Associates, states: “Overall, the library has not undergone a major renovation or expansion in nearly 20 years and requires more space for programming and service facilities.”
The document also states that the library “will be clearly visible from the highway, but will not be architecturally prominent or present itself as a community building and library.”
The renovation and expansion project aims to “architecturally improve visibility and highlight the new entrance,” the document says.
Lauren Davis, who represented the architects at the meeting, called the existing building “dated” and “somewhat disappointing.” She said the new design aimed for the “wow factor” that would ultimately create a better community space.
The proposed design includes a glass and aluminum storefront that will make the most of natural light, Davis explained.
The existing stucco will be given a new coat of paint to match the new color scheme of various shades of gray, dark blue and aluminum, and a new roof will be installed, she added.
The plans also include a redesign of the parking lot.
Davis noted that the library plans to add a children’s library as well as a multi-purpose community room as part of its new program.
Community Development Director James Dickhoff said the design largely complies with the city’s Land Use and Development Code (LUDC).
However, Dickhoff also pointed out that there are certain conditions that the applicant must take into account in his final application for comprehensive design review.
According to his statement, conditions that would need to be met before final design review included plans for rainwater and snow storage, confirmation from utilities that they would be able to supply the expanded facilities, and detailed plans for lighting and landscaping.
The Board unanimously approved these drafts; Julie Gurule did not attend the meeting.
