Novato advances renovation plan for museum site

Novato is forging ahead with plans to rehabilitate the future home of the Novato History Museum.

On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved the creation of a capital improvement plan for the Scott House, and adjusted the agreement with the museum’s operator, the Novato Historical Guild.

“This project is a gift to the city and our community,” said Jeanne MacLeamy, the chair of the museum committee. “Scott House will be transformed into a vibrant new history museum on the civic center accessible to all.”

The city began conversations with the historical guild in 2023 about relocating the museum from De Long Avenue to the Scott House on Sherman Avenue. The assessment of the property revealed the renovation of the building would cost $3.2 million. The historical guild raised about $3.13 million, which included a $1 million donation from the estate of Charmiane Burdell.

“One might ask, why this project, and why now?” said Bill Rose, assistant city manager. “First and foremost is the opportunity, so the city is poised to receive an incredibly generous donation from a valuable civic partner.”

“It is an opportunity to enhance and rehabilitate a city asset that is in need of attention,” he said. “It will preserve local history through strengthening and giving a place for the history museum. It enhances the civic center. This is part of the civic center campus, it is, in some ways, the city’s front door.”

As the property owner, the city retains full control, but the historical guild is responsible for securing, collecting and depositing all funds pledged to the renovation. If donations fall short, the historical guild would be responsible for securing extra money. The city is requiring 90% of the funds to be deposited before construction services are obtained.

If the renovation costs run higher than anticipated, the city and the historical guild will meet to discuss the scope of the project, but the city has final authority over how the project would move forward.

The city has agreed to waive its permitting fees and cover administrative costs for the project. The council amended the fiscal year 2025-26 budget to transfer $91,000 from the city’s brick fund, which holds money from the city’s sale of engraved bricks, to the project’s construction costs.

The council also agreed to allocate approximately $222,000 in capital improvement project funds from the upcoming fiscal year budget to be used for long-term maintenance.

Construction is expected to begin later this year and finish in July 2027. In order to stay on schedule, the historical guild is putting up $250,000 to use along with the city’s $91,000 to begin the procurement process for design services.

Councilmember Pat Eklund, who first brought idea to the council, shared her gratitude to those who have worked on and donated to the project.

“I am really anxious to see this completed and will continue to help support the guide as time goes,” she said.