FAIRHOPE — The building that used to house the Fairhope library is getting renovated for modern times.

Catherine King of the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation (FSTC) spoke at the Fairhope Rotary Club on Wednesday, Feb. 11, to talk about the group's renovation project of the building on Summit Street.=

The original building was constructed in 1908 by the corporation, the same year Fairhope was incorporated, with King saying it is one of the earliest public libraries built in the state of Alabama. Several additions were built on the property over the years, and in 1964, the FSTC transferred the library contents to the City of Fairhope, leasing the building to the city for continued use as a public library.

After the public library was relocated in 1983, the building was leased to Faulkner State Community College and later University of South Alabama for use as local administrative offices until they relocated in 2020. The city vacated the building in 2022, with the lease returning to the FSTC, which in 2023 decided to make plans to renovate the building.

King said other than certain aspects that are required to meet modern building standards, the project will be using the same footprint used decades ago, with the building remaining largely the same but being restored to its former glory, The building will be used as administrative offices, meeting space and additional archive space for the FSTC once completed, with King saying she expects the project to be completed by this fall.

"We're just kind of moving along and tickled to death that this is happening and happening for the community," King said. "All the neighbors around that area are very pleased and we are, too. We can't wait to move in."