When officials at the James J. Hill Center in downtown St. Paul announced last week that the historic reference library and wedding venue will close July 3, they cited maintenance costs as a contributing concern.

The building, which sits on the National Register of Historic Places, dates back to 1921 and is nearing the century-mark in need of some serious tender loving care.

A “historic structure report” commissioned from Minneapolis-based Preservation Design Works details exactly how serious.

While the overall structure is in solid shape, the report lays out the need for $1.5 million in immediate, critical improvements, with at least another $3 million to $4 million in repair work required over the next five years.

That totals roughly $5 million alone for the most serious considerations, much of it electrical and mechanical upgrades as opposed to structural fixes.

ON THE LOW SIDE

Tamara Prato, executive director of the James J. Hill Center, calls those estimates on the low side. Installing a boiler in an old historic building, for instance, carries costs beyond the typical boiler replacement, given the difficulty of maneuvering around century-old architecture.

“When they compiled the data and information, it’s really based on total square footage, not taking into account any of the other craziness based on the building we’re in, such as where the ducts are located,” she said.

What’s more, public grants may require a series of approvals from the State Historic Preservation Office and other offices, and any changes to the exterior of the building would require a sign-off from the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission. Negotiations and multiple architectural drawings add to costs.

“When we did an elevator project, which cost $1.2 million in 2017, going back and forth between the Minnesota Historical Society and our architects, that took a considerable amount of time,” Prato said. “There were a lot of drawings back and forth to get things approved.”

The priority repairs in the report include replacing an outdated boiler, adding a new fire suppression system and air handling units, and keeping a year-long record of the visible cracking over three interior masonry columns. The roof was described as being in generally good shape, though the 34-by-112 foot skylight would cost nearly $600,000 if officials chose to fully restore it.

On top of $5 million in critical or serious improvements, another $2.3 million in repair items are labeled minor, routine, optional or long-term touch-ups, such as redoing worn mortar and finishes and replacing damaged plaster and carpeting.

“That building deserves to be preserved and taken care of in a manner,” Prato said. “If our institution is not the right one to do that, in my heart of hearts I need to make sure that happens.”

CLOSING IN JULY

The Hill Center has a separate entrance from the George Latimer Central Library and is operated by its own nonprofit. Officials announced last week that it will close its doors and let go all but its executive director and a single staff member as its board considers the fate of the century-old structure.

The reference library had been operated in recent years as a business center, event center and wedding venue, but officials said funding from a modest endowment, outside grants and private events did not keep up with costs.

Existing wedding reservations will be honored in 2019, but Prato said she’s had to cancel the handful of events booked in 2020.

The adjoining Central Library, which will remain open, is run by the St. Paul Public Library system and was recently remodeled.

The Hill Center’s historic structure report, published by PVN in November 2018 in consultation with HGA Architects, lists more than 20 critical and 50 serious deficiencies.

CRITICAL PROBLEMS

Critical problems are categorized as those that should be addressed within one or two years, such as the boiler issue.

The serious deficiencies — problems that would need repair within the next two-to-five years or risk becoming critical — include the need to map the cracks on the exterior load-bearing walls.

Overall, those walls were categorized as being in fair condition, though the exterior north stair was labeled in “fair to poor” condition with some areas showing visible vertical cracks and “stone distress,” as well as evidence of corrosion and water penetration.

Inside, on the third floor, the report states: “There are several significant cracks at the third level stone floor. … The crack continues up the balustrade wall at the southernmost square pier (supporting the third level). This also causes some stone displacement at this area. The tongue and groove wood floors are generally in good condition. The stone base is cracked at the north room off of the elevator lobby. The stone base at the north room is cracked in one location.” Related Articles Sept. 30 is last day for public comment on Pigs Eye Lake makeover

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Another 60 repair items in the report were deemed “minor deficiencies” or “routine repair and maintenance,” and 30 items were labeled “discretionary,” or optional. They include refinishing the dull, worn finishes on a concrete floor or replacing an electric water heater with a natural gas water heater to save on energy costs.

Among the least critical concerns, the report found the first-floor women’s restroom door needed refinishing — estimated cost: $1,500 — and mortar joints along the interior stone and brick walls needed repointing using mostly hand tools — estimated cost: $240,000.

The report was funded by a Minnesota Historical, Cultural and Heritage grant, a product of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.