WESTBROOK – After an examination of the options, Westbrook officials have decided to move forward with renovating the historic Walker Memorial Library.

City Administrator Jerre Bryant said the city has already poured $1 million into the building for repairs, but it still requires between $1.2 million to $2 million in additional work.

City councilors were initially reluctant to start another extensive renovation project, he said. An alternative was to pursue the purchase of the closed Warren Library and use it as the city library. However, Bryant said, that building, which is smaller than the Walker Memorial Library, was being offered for $1,195,000, so it was not an economically viable option.

“We are now refocusing our attention on the Walker Memorial Library,” he said.

There is $770,000 in this year’s capital improvements plan for library facilities, Bryant said, leaving a funding shortfall for the Walker renovations.

City officials will now focus on doing the renovations in phases over a number of years. Bryant said they are also working with the library’s board of regents and trustees to secure alternate funding sources.

The City Council’s Facilities and Streets Committee will hear reports on the matter at a meeting on Nov. 8.