Historic library will be new home for veterans’ groups

Restoration of Caldwell’s Carnegie Library is beginning to take shape.

Located at 1101 Cleveland Boulevard, the Carnegie Library was purchased by the city of Caldwell in 2013 with plans to establish a Veterans Memorial Hall in the historic 6,300-square-foot building. The city is working with the local chapters of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion on the project. The library was built in 1914 and was in danger of being torn down before the city stepped in to purchase it, and lease it to the veterans groups for $1 a year.

Before the building can be occupied, it must be renovated, brought up to code and made ADA-compliant. In late June, crews started removing materials from the site. Some of those materials were donated to Habitat for Humanity. Several phases of work will begin as funding becomes available through grants and donations. Terry Harrell, spokesman for all three veterans groups, said his goal is  to have the facility ready for occupancy in January.

“For all the organizations to be in one place and that we can sustain this beautiful building is huge for us,” Harrell said.