AUGUSTA -- Scaled-back proposals to renovate and expand Lithgow Library could save city taxpayers about $3 million, but cost them about one-third of the library space, compared to the proposed $8.9 million rehab shot down last year by 243 votes.

Monday night, city councilors discussed appropriating nearly $12,000 to hire J. Stewart Roberts Architects to design a scaled-back version of a renovated and expanded Lithgow, similar to the 31,000-square-foot new library that firm designed in anticipation of last year's failed library referendum vote.

But there's one difference: Instead of the estimated $8.9 million the rejected library project would have cost, the library fix should be in the $6 million to $7 million range.

Roberts, in a letter to the city, already estimated a budget reduction of that size would also yield a smaller library: about 20,000 square feet of new, renovated space, not 31,000.

"I'm getting frustrated looking at these numbers," said Councilor Michael Byron, noting the previous library project lost by a fairly slim margin.

"Now we're going down to $6 million or $7 million, and a severe reduction in usable space. The scaled-down version loses as much as 11,000 square feet. The impact on programs is going to be tremendous," Byron said.

A study committee formed after the rejected referendum is currently working on a plan to address concerns about Lithgow, which has a leaky roof and accessibility issues.

"We really liked the original concept. It was beautiful," Councilor Edward Coffin said. "But it was voted down. Something had to change."

Committee member Councilor William Stokes said the group will look at a scaled-down plan and also has not ruled out moving the library to a different site, such as the former Buker School or the old YMCA.

However, he warned a move could mean leaving the current historic Lithgow building to an uncertain future or splitting library services between two buildings.

Stokes said the committee anticipates about $2 million could be raised privately for a new library, leaving taxpayers to borrow $4 million to $4.5 million.

The proposal to appropriate about $12,000 to pay the architect is expected to go to councilors for a vote next week.

If that's approved, Councilor David Rollins said the city will then have spent $161,000 studying the issue.

"We can keep studying. But at some point, we have to fix it," Rollins said.

He also noted construction costs have increased since the first proposal, so "you get less for more."

Library advocates have said the library is not accessible to people with disabilities and is so overcrowded that children have been turned away from popular programs. The building's roof needs to be replaced and leaks invade walls between the main building and a 1979 addition.

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com