A fresh look

The renovation of a historic home in Chico is moving forward with the approval of the California Office of Historic Preservation.

Chico State is refreshing the Albert E. Warrens Reception Center, a Mediterranean-style home in Mansion Park designed by Julia Morgan. The interior will be repainted and the exterior doors and windows retreated “with tender loving care,” wrote Sandra Beck, the university’s campus architect, in an email to the CN&R.

Earlier this year, local history experts feared that the facelift would harm the home’s historical integrity (see “Preservation reservations,” Newslines, April 14), but members of the Chico Heritage Association are now satisfied with the plan, said member Michael Magliari, a Chico State history professor.

“It sets a good precedent that we hope will be the new standard for dealing with historic properties on campus,” he said.