This graphic is conjectural and is used because none has been supplied by the project team. It also does not reflect the foreign roof structure that is proposed for attachment on the back of the building.

Our June 2010 “From the President” letter voiced concern about the proposed rehabilitation of the Welwood Murray Memorial Library (edited for length): “The Welwood Murray Memorial Library (1940), built shortly after Palm Springs’ incorporation, is the oldest intact civic building in the city…designed by John Porter Clark (our first resident architect), the library’s green concrete trim and clean lines have made the building a favorite for decades…. So when funding for updating the library was secured, many in the community were excited. That excitement has recently turned to disappointment. For what is being proposed is not a sensitive restoration but rather an insensitive remodeling that includes demolition of the library's historic fabric…. …Certainly those involved with the library project are well-meaning and have no malicious intent, but there seems to be a fundamental lack of appreciation about the importance of the library and the value of its authenticity. Many folks think that historic preservation is some arcane science. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The U.S. Secretary of Interior has established simple, straightforward standards that local governments are encouraged to follow for the treatment of historic properties. Compliance with these standards safeguards the features that make these buildings significant…and helps the city avoid unfolding debacles such as the Welwood Murray Memorial Library project.”

Welwood Murray Memorial Library

Update

On August 16, 2010 PSPF received a letter from Phillips Welwood Murray (a descendant of Dr. Welwood Murray) applauding PSPF’s advocacy on the Welwood Murray Memorial Library project. In his letter Mr. Murray asks the city leadership to pursue a “sensitive restoration” of the library and further asserts that such a course of action is the “smart thing to do.” To read Mr. Murray’s letter click here.

On August 10, 2010 at the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board meeting, the director of planning services announced that the “applicant” (i.e., the city) would be re-submitting the Welwood Murray Memorial Library (WMML) project to the Architectural Advisory Committee (AAC) on September 7, 2010 (with review by the Historic Site Preservation Board on September 14th) as a “new” application. Further, it appears that the previously submitted WMML project will be held in abeyance. The details of the new project may not be known until the September AAC meeting.

On August 9, 2010 PSPF sent a letter to the Palm Springs mayor and city council detailing the PSPF concerns raised at the August 4th meeting with the senior city staff.

On August 4, 2010 PSPF board members Ron Marshall and Gary Johns met with the city manager, assistant city manager, city attorney, director of planning services and others to discuss the foundation’s many concerns regarding the Welwood Murray Memorial Library project. The meeting was cordial and there was a frank and wide-ranging exchange of views regarding the project. In addition to the concerns raised, the PSPF board members emphasized their view that a unique opportunity is available to the city to do a first-rate and sensitive restoration of the library.

At the July 13, 2010 meeting of the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) PSPF board members Gary Johns, Patrick McGrew and Ron Marshall made public comment regarding the Welwood Murray Memorial Library project. The remarks expressed alarm that the proposed project was not adhering to U.S. Secretary of Interior standards for the rehabilitation of historic buildings. Specific concerns were raised about the demolition of parts of the building (a Class1 historic site) and a new roof structure proposed to be attached to the original building. The PSPF board members emphasized that the city has a wonderful opportunity to do a first-class restoration of this architecturally and historically important building. PSPF board member McGrew also provided the HSPB with a written analysis that describes in detail how the current proposal fails to meet well-established preservation standards.

On July 8, 2010 PSPF board members Ron Marshall and Gary Johns met with the project architects (Escalante Architects) to discuss PSPF’s concerns about the proposed rehabilitation of the Welwood Murray Memorial Library. During the cordial meeting, PSPF emphasized the importance of following U.S. Secretary of Interior standards regarding the rehabilitation of historic properties.