Historic Beaumont Library Set For Major Renovation

BEAUMONT, CA — A request to expand and renovate the historic Beaumont Library — including nearly doubling the building's size — will be heard during Wednesday's Planning Commission meeting.

The Beaumont Library District is requesting approval of a plot plan and variance for the library at 125 East Eighth Street. The applications were submitted to the city on June 13.

The plan calls for adding 9,114 square feet to the existing 10,991-square-foot library. A variance calls for 60 parking stalls (instead of the required 81), and landscaping and other site improvements are featured.

The Beaumont Library District was established by a public vote in 1911 and initially began operations in the former Bank of Beaumont building at Fifth Street and Grace Avenue.

A grant from industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie funded the current library building that opened in June 1914.

An extension to the Carnegie building was added in 1965, which more than doubled the library’s square footage.

With a grant, a small community room was added in 1981.

In 2008, renovations took place in preparation for the library district’s 2011 centennial. At the time, an elevator was added and a new skylight was installed.

Now, with additional funding and other resources, the Beaumont Library District will renovate the library while maintaining the building's historical style, according to city documents.

The library site is four land parcels that total about 1.32 acres. The library building, parking and landscaping take up three of the parcels. According to city documents, the remaining parcel features a single-family home that will be demolished to accommodate the library expansion.

Wednesday's 6 p.m. Beaumont Planning Commission meeting takes place at 550 E. Sixth Street. See the full meeting agenda here.

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