Fulton County to renovate historic central library, not build new

A new central library will not be built in downtown Atlanta.

Fulton County commissioners voted Wednesday to move forward with a plan that would spend up to $55 million to renovate the existing central library, a 1980 building that has fallen into disrepair.

Commissioners had long delayed a decision about whether to build a new main library — as voters approved in a 2008 bond referendum — or renovate the existing one.

At a recent public meeting, residents overwhelmingly favored keeping the existing building, near the Peachtree Center MARTA station.

Next month, commissioners will take the necessary steps to fund the renovation.

To read more about the plan for Central Library, click here.