James Mallery, an associate principal with Page & Turnbull, was the project architect for The Cheech; Page & Turnbull was architect of record. He specializes in complex challenges, particularly in adaptive reuse, cultural, and historical buildings. James currently serves as the Los Angeles Office Director. Prior to studying architecture, James completed his Ph. D in San Francisco urban history at UCLA and taught ancient and modern architectural history. James grew up in Riverside and remembers going to this building when it was the Public Library. He recalls the second-floor domes and globe lights seen on a second grade filed trip, and his decision to work on the Cheech was personal. While 1960s-era photos showed well-dressed and well-behaved white children quietly reading, by the 1980s the Main Library was infrequently visited, and like much of downtown remained underutilized. However, in recent years much of downtown Riverside has experienced a revival as historic structures have been restored and popular interest has returned. In this way, for James the adaptive reuse and preservation of the library represents both a return to his childhood home, and a transformation that brought new relevance and cultural meaning to the historic structure.