Restoration begins on historical Napa library

This week, Alten Construction (AltenConstruction.com), a full-service San Francisco Bay Area commercial construction company, started the restoration of the historical Goodman Library in downtown Napa.

Alten Construction will repair the 2014 earthquake damage at the 5,433-square-foot building built in 1901 and has employed a qualified historic architectural consultant to monitor the work. The over $1.7 million project is slated for completion in December 2017.

The team will install a new roof, repair and reinforce timber roof trusses, fix damaged terra cotta entry columns and the entry doorway arch and restore and repair interior wood trim, lath and plaster walls and dislodged interior metal tin ceiling tiles and trim. Alten Construction will also reconstruct damaged areas of the structural stone walls and repair and replace miscellaneous cracked and dislodged wall stones and a partially collapsed stone entry tower.

Local banker and philanthropist George Goodman donated the land and commissioned architect Luther M. Turton, a significant man locally who practiced from 1887-1920, to design the building, which cost $15,000.

The building still possesses many of its original fixtures, including most of the original shelves, fine pressed tin ceilings, staircase, woodwork and desks.

“Almost everything will be put back in its original place,” said Ernie Cabral, P.E., an associate civil engineer in the engineering division for the City of Napa Public Works Department. “Even the mixture for the plaster will be a lath and plaster formula that would have been used back then.”

Located at 1219 First Street, the Goodman Library is the longest continuously operating library in California. It was added to the National Register of Historical Places on January 21, 1974.

Alten Construction has completed four other historical projects, including Hoover Elementary School in Burlingame, Calif., the modernization of San Mateo High School’s Brick Building in Mateo, Calif., the Maritime Child Development Center in Richmond, Calif. and Novato City Hall’s 901 Sherman Avenue renovations in Novato, Calif.

About Alten Construction

Founded by Bob and Shannon Alten in 1995, Alten Construction not only offers a full range of commercial construction services but is also a licensed builder, with its own shop, carpenters and construction laborers. Alten Construction serves public and private clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with a personal touch.

Over the past 20 years, Alten Construction has grown from a small public works company to employing more than 100 people with annual revenues of over $80 million. From tenant improvements to historic buildings to fire stations and schools, the company’s experience is extensive, and it completes superior and high-quality projects with leadership demonstrated at all stages of a project.

Alten Construction is committed to green building practices, and the firm has LEED Accredited Professionals on staff. Dedicated to the community, Alten Construction partners with small, local businesses and develops construction professionals through its internship opportunities and in-house training. Bob Alten is currently the president of the Construction Employees’ Association. The commercial construction firm is also affiliated with Marin Builders Association and the North Coast Builders Exchange. For more information, visit www.AltenConstruction.com or call 510-234-4200.