HISTORIC HAPPENINGS … It took a few decades to get off the ground, but Palo Alto’s effort to build a history museum now appears to be proceeding apace. According to a new report from City Manager Ed Shikada, construction of the new museum at the historic Roth Building was 54% complete as of the end of July. The historic 1932 building at 300 Homer Ave., which once housed the Palo Alto Clinic, is owned by the city and is now undergoing a long-awaited renovation. Recent accomplishments include installation of insulation on the second floor (which passed inspection this month), the setting of a transformer pad (and transformer) and waterproofing of second-floor balconies. Ongoing activities also include electrical work on the first floor, framing and wiring for updated light fixtures and installation of terra cotta tiles on the roof, according to the report. The project, which is being spearheaded by the nonprofit group Palo Alto Museum, has a price tag of about $12 million, with funding coming from local, state and federal grants and private donations. The City Council approved the project in April 2023.