Aurora’s current downtown library officially closes later this year as operations shift several blocks west, to the new Richard and Gina Santori Public Library.

But city officials hope it won’t be vacant for very long.

Seize the Future Development Foundation, Aurora’s public/private partnership, seeks proposals for redevelopment of the 43,000 square foot building located at the southern tip of Stolp Island.

“It’s a great, historic building and we’d like to see something happen to it that’s really positive,” said Catherine Stieg, Seize the Future operations and communications manager.

Interested parties have until March 31 to submit proposals for the site.

Seize the Future is described as ”a public/private economic development partnership dedicated to attracting, retaining and promoting commercial, industrial, retail, and mixed-use development in Aurora,” according to the library Request For Proposals document.

Officials aren’t ready to reveal what interest the property has generated, but the RFP suggests what they’d might like to see.

Among ideas is a return to the property’s classic architectural look that predates a 1969 renovation.

“(Seize the Future) would look favorably upon proposals that maintain and restore the original architectural style and elements (pre-1969) … to the greatest extent possible,” the RFP stated.

Officials also seek a comprehensive proposal that develops the entire property at once, rather than in phases.

The 3 1/2 story, granite-clad building is located at the intersection of East Benton and South Stolp Street and is within walking distance of SciTech Museum, Waubonsee Community College, Paramount Theater, Hollywood Casino plus restaurants and arts attractions.

A former Elks Lodge, directly across the street from the library, is set to be renovated as an apartment building, part of a project estimated to cost $2.3 million.

The library dates back to 1904 and was originally planned as a one-story structure funded through a grant by philanthropist and steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie.

Carnegie funded library construction throughout the nation. In Illinois, more than 100 libraries were built between 1903 and 1914.

Along with Aurora, Carnegie-funded library buildings are still in operation in Geneva, St. Charles and at Naperville’s North Central College (now a computer science building).

In Aurora, a local newspaper argued that a one-story building would quickly become obsolete, leading instead to construction of a two-story structure that served into the 1940s.

In 1941, the library planned a pay-as-you-go remodeling that added a children’s section plus art, technology, music and periodicals departments. In 1950, renovations added a street-level entry.

By the 1960s, downtown Aurora was changing as many businesses moved to outlying locations.

“The library board decided to make a commitment to downtown Aurora, expanding and remodeling the existing library structure rather than move to a new location,” according to the RFP.

A three-year, $953,184 project completed in 1969 nearly tripled library space from 15,000 square feet to 42,000. A 1980 expansion added 1,000 square feet of space.

Following acceptance of proposals late this month, Seize the Future has established a timeline that calls for approval by the Aurora Public Library board and City of Aurora by June 1 and development negotiations complete by Aug. 1.

Possible uses for the old library are undetermined. In Elgin, for example, the original downtown Gail Borden Library now features restaurants and stores along with and some vacant spaces.