Atlanta’s Central Library — long embroiled in a battle between preservationists and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, who oversee the facility — seems to have been granted a reprieve from those calling for its demolition.
Friends of the Central Atlanta Library issued a statement on Facebook outlining the outcome of many public meetings, including the June Fulton County Board of Commissioners meeting where many residents came to speak in support of the library.
Out of 55 people who spoke at the meeting, 52 were in favor of retaining the existing Marcel Breuer-designed library, either as the Central Library or another use.
The overwhelming recommendation is for the existing building to be renovated, which aligns with Atlanta Councilman Kwanza Hall’s recent City Council Resolution in support of reprogramming and renovating the "iconic" building.
Recommendations by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, which will be further discussed at their meeting this Wednesday, indicate they hope to renovate five or six floors for library use, leaving three or four floors of the building available to lease. The cost of that proposal is between $40 million and $50 million.
The news should please preservationists and architects across the country, who have expressed concern for the building through the entire process. While the plans are far from finalized, things are certainly looking up for the building.
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