The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St.

In its current form the proposal calls for the city to lease the building to the society at nominal cost once a new city hall can be occupied on Chestnut Street and set aside up to $500,000 from the city’s hotel room rental tax for future renovation of the Main Street property. In return the historical society would pledge to raise some $450,000 for building renovations and alterations to serve as a museum and downtown visitor center.

A lease of city property could run for up to 40 years, said City Manager Mike Talbot.

The city contribution to the project would become available only after the society raises its $450,000 match, suggested Council Member Willie DeLaRosa who heads a council talk force which has been studying the proposal since last November.

Council Member Julie Hart said the city could lower its present debt load by selling the present City Hall site outright to the society, even if it pledged to spend more on renovation costs from hotel tax revenues in the future.

Council reaction to the idea was mixed. “I’d have to think about it,” said Council Member Joe Beal.

Council Member Terry Sanders called for a public meeting to air the proposal as soon as possible, followed shortly by council action to adopt a plan. “A museum on Main Street is an asset,” he declared.

City Manager Mike Talbot said an independent appraisal of the Main Street property valued the site and building at $370,000.