The Colusa City Council unanimously launched the fundraising campaign to preserve City Hall, particularly its majestic auditorium, by committing $250,000 over five years for the first phase of the project, which will include structural fortification of the 105-year-old building.
The city saved what Colusa taxpayers built in the early 20th century by acquiring the structure 45 years ago, just days before its scheduled demolition, according to newspaper archives on display at last week’s reception.
The grammar school was constructed for about $100,000 using two bonds approved by voters in the Colusa school district. The school served students from 1918 though 1976, and was re-dedicated as City Hall on Dec. 14, 1977, after the City Council and Board of Trustees of Colusa School District reached a lease-purchase agreement for $32,265.
Colusa Grant Writer Fernanda Vanetta said she is hopeful the city will secure a $750,000 “Save America’s Treasures” grant from the National Park Service, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the first phase of the project.
The grant requires a 1-1 cash and in-kind match for every dollar spent.
“The City Council has already stepped up and pledged one-third of our goal,” Vanetta said.
Now, Vanetta is asking the community to pitch in the remaining $500,000 over the next five years in the form of naming rights and sponsorships to see the project through.
The reception held at City Hall on Nov. 30 was well attended by enthusiastic donors, with many people touring the auditorium for the first time in more than a decade since it was shut off from public use.
The building itself is still in good condition, Vanetta said, and is one of Central California’s last remaining examples of pre-World War I Gothic revival architecture.
Designed by San Francisco architect Williams H. Weeks (who built most of California’s Carnegie libraries), the school was the first in the U.S. to have a then-modern circulation and ventilation system. Although water damage mars portions of the ceiling and walls, the grand auditorium’s beautifully crafted plasterwork is still intact.
Vanetta, at the November council meeting, said the first phase of the project would cost about $1.5 million to preserve its use for future generations.
“Delaying fixing this building anymore could be much more costly down the road,” she said. “We’ve been very fortunate to use this building as City Hall for many years. If we want to keep it, at some point we need to address some of the structural issues.”
If the city receives the full grant amount but cannot raise the matching funds, the city will just tap into a smaller amount by matching what they can, Vanetta said.
City officials hope individuals, families, and corporations will take the opportunity to preserve the historic building through sponsorships, ranging from $100 to $1,000. Larger sponsorships will also be available that will come with naming rights to the stage and auditorium.
The city hopes to put the auditorium back in use for plays, recreation programs, and council meetings, which demand larger seating capacity.
“I obviously have a real emotional attachment to this building; I went to school here,” said City Councilman Greg Ponciano. “This is the city’s responsibility to take care of it. We have not had an opportunity in the past to take a swing at something like this. Now we can.”
The city is currently taking pledges of support. The grant application will be submitted later this month.
Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact Vanetta at grants@cityofcolusa.com or (530) 458-4740. ■