FULTON COUNTY LIBRARY PROJECTS
(All are new libraries except Auburn Avenue)
Alpharetta Library:
Estimated cost: $24,732,476
Construction begins: Fall, 2013
Projected opening: Fall, 2014
East Roswell Library:
Estimated cost: $10,900,240
Construction begins: Summer, 2013
Projected opening: Summer, 2014
Milton Library
Estimated cost: $19,129,976
Construction begins: Fall, 2013
Projected opening: Fall, 2014
Northwest Atlanta Library
Estimated cost: $21,132,146
Construction begins: Winter, 2014
Projected opening: Spring, 2015
Palmetto Library
Estimated cost: $7,266,827
Construction begins: Summer, 2013
Projected opening: Summer, 2014
Stewart-Lakewood
Estimated cost: $21,449,943
Construction begins: Winter, 2014
Projected opening: Spring, 2015
Wolf Creek Library
Estimated cost: $18,167,067
Construction begins: Spring, 2013
Projected opening: Summer, 2014
Auburn Ave. Research Library Expansion
Estimated cost: $24,996,263
Construction begins: Winter, 2014
Projected opening: Spring, 2015
Millions in taxpayer dollars will take bricks and mortar form soon as Fulton County begins a wave of library construction.
The buildings are part of a $275 million bond approved by voters in 2008 to build eight new libraries, fund at least half the cost of a new Central Library and touch every existing branch through consolidations, expansions and renovations.
"Our libraries are very heavily used," said Anne Haimes, interim director for the Atlanta-Fulton County Library System.
Circulation statistics took a huge leap during the economic downturn, she said, and they remain strong, especially virtual circulation and wireless access.
Concerns were raised during the recession whether the library system could afford to staff its new branches, but Haimes said consolidations and closures will keep the number of branches at 34.
“Staffing is a factor, and county staff are factoring that into their planning,” she said.
In all, plans call for constructing seven new libraries, three of them in north Fulton.
Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton are welcoming new branches with overwhelming public support. And each one represents something a little different to the communities they serve.
For Frank and Eileen Seidman, the East Roswell Branch is the culmination of a 15-year campaign. The Seidmans notified the Atlanta-Fulton County Library Board in 1998 that residents east of Ga. 400 needed their own branch because of the large school and residential population. The lone Roswell branch near City Hall was nearly inaccessible, they said, because it required a trip over Ga. 400 through some of the worst traffic in metro Atlanta.
“The nearest libraries are eight miles to the west and nine miles to the east (in Gwinnett County),” Frank Seidman said. “And you couldn’t get to them because Holcomb Bridge is a parking lot.”
Alpharetta’s new 25,000-square-foot library is a key to the city’s $30 million downtown redevelopment and is more than twice the size of the current branch.
“I think that the new library is an important part of making downtown Alpharetta a destination,” said Bob Klein co-owner of Digital Scientists on Main Street. “With the retail shops, restaurants, professional offices, city offices and the park space, you can get a lot done in one place.”
Milton may be gaining the most among Fulton County communities. The young city has no library now, and residents are already pledging used books to help fill the new $19 million building designed to reflect the area’s rural landscape.
“This is a very rural-oriented community, and the design looks in many respects like a collection of barns,” said Bob Meyers, who is heading a Friends of the Milton Library campaign.
Resident Christopher Bloor said having the library so close to community schools will be a big plus for the city.
“It will allow children to participate in activities that are local to our community and be part of life-long learning close to their home.” he said.
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