Historic board discusses future Fust Library plans

BY LIZA STROUT - The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board met Wednesday, April 11, in the Woman’s Club Room of the Boca Grande Community Center to consider three proposed changes to Boca Grande Properties.

Seats were filled by interest in the plan presented by Michael Epstein of Seibert Architects for changes to the Johann Fust Community Library.

Exterior changes include new translucent panels over the current wooden-slat roof of the existing potting shed to create a "secret garden" area, new garage doors that match those in the original construction drawings, a new storage building and new handicapped-accessible parking, and entry to the building.

The remodeling is being done in such a way that the only changes noticeable from the street will be those to the garage.

On the inside, though, the library will be transformed while maintaining its historic nature. The current children’s library will be moved to its own building attached to the new secret garden.

The staff area will be moved into the space that the children’s library now occupies. The garage, which is now used as a storage area, will become the library’s new media library, complete with its own accessible restroom.

The area now used as staff offices will be turned into a reading room, and it and the Main Library will be remodeled with new carpeting and custom wood shelves. Check out will become the new display area. Accessible parking will now be on the other side of the library entrance, and the ramp will be brought up to code.

Throughout this process, conduits, pipes and wiring that are not in use or part of the original 1949 structure will be removed and any holes left by the removal will be repaired.

The proposal was approved unanimously.

Also approved were changes to two existing homes on the Gulf side of Third Street.