Yes, you did steal it. This will be a great project. And, there is plenty of good info and help both here and on the Park Tool site.

I have a couple of C&V bikes with carbon forks and they ride well. And the carbon fork may save you as much as 1 1/2 lbs.

However, let me suggest a process that, I think, will prove to be beneficial, both to mechanical experience and to getting to know this bike.

That is, build it up with the existing fork and give it a try. There will be a definite feel associated with the steel fork. If you later decide to change forks, that is a fairly simple process. And, after you get to know the bike you can decide whether you want to go with a threaded carbon fork and keep the stem or go with with a threadless system. Your bikes are your Legos. Take them apart and put them together in different configurations as often as you like. It's part of the fun.