The recently unveiled design of the library in downtown Newhall has some local residents and groups upset about its appearance.

The Old Town Newhall Association took their complaints about the proposed design to this week’s City Council meeting, saying the building will look like a “ski lodge,” and didn’t reflect the western theme prevalent in the downtown area.

“We want to make the building look more historic and inviting,” said Suzie Szabo, OTNA manager.

OTNA representatives were joined at the meeting by other groups, like the Newhall Redevelopment Committee and concerned citizens.  Their ideas didn’t fall on deaf ears.

Mayor Laurene Weste and Councilmember Bob Kellar also felt that the design needed to be changed to reflect the heritage of downtown Newhall.

In addition to wanting to change the outside appearance of the new library, Szabo says they would like to try and get the front entrance of the building to face south down Main Street instead of its current location facing north.

“This project is a good project and we don’t want to take away from that, but we want it to be wonderful,” said Szabo.  “This is a gateway to our city through Newhall.”

The changes however may be difficult because the design is already in the final stages.

Gail Ortiz, spokeswomen for the City of Santa Clarita, said in an email, that a redesign could be costly and that it will be a “challenge to pay for additional costs not currently budgeted for the project.”

The next step for the city is to contact the architect to see if the proposed changes can be made without effecting the building schedule or budget.

The changes would alter the exterior appearance of the building, but would not change its footprint.