The city is negotiating to buy a 1913 Colonial Revival to house the library

HARRISBURG — The city of Harrisburg is in negotiations to purchase a 1913 Colonial Revival-style home with the intention of remodeling it into a city library.

The agreed upon price for the house, which is in foreclosure, is $165,000.

An August 2008 appraisal of the two-story, 3,400-square-foot house at the southeast corner of Seventh and Territorial streets valued it at $269,000, said City Administrator Bruce Cleeton. The Linn County Assessor’s Office shows a real market value of $357,790 for the homesite.

Cleeton described the house as one of the grandest, if not the grandest, in Harrisburg.

“It’s got so much potential,” said Librarian Cheryl Spangler. “I’m really excited for it to get its old look back.”

However, the parcel is zoned residential and in order for a library the Harrisburg planning commission must approve a conditional use permit. The commission meets Nov. 18.

The city of Harrisburg will be seeking grants and donations to fund an extensive restoration of the building.

Cleeton provided some background on the house.

Katherine McDonald Upmeyer had the home built after her husband, E.E. Upmeyer, died in 1912. She died in 1922, and the property went to Willamette University in accordance with the Upmeyers’ will, Cleeton said.

The property then went through several owners before it was foreclosed on by U.S. Bank National Association, which currently owns it.

“If the purchase happens, the city will use funds that it has accumulated over about five years with the intent of eventually building a new municipal center, which would include a new city hall, a library and court offices,” Cleeton said.

The sale is scheduled to close Dec. 10.

The two-story home with a full attic and multiple first- and second-floor porches also boasts built-in shelving and a gas fireplace on the second floor.

“I thought, ‘What a perfect place for a children’s reading room,’” Spangler said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun to set up and decide which rooms are what.”

Spangler estimates it will take about two years to restore, renovate and open the library building.

The current Harrisburg City Library is part of the municipal center at 354 Smith St.