Friday, August 1, 2003
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Friday, August 1, 2003 |
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Library addition plans impress, but funding questions remain By J. FRANK
LYNCH
Everybody agrees it's a beauty, though nobody knows how much it's going to cost. To pay for it, voters will be asked to approve a referendum an iffy prospect in a year in which the city is considering raising property taxes 20 percent to avoid going into the red. Still, enthusiasm was high last week when the Peachtree City Library Commission got a first look at the conceptual site plan for the proposed renovation and expansion of the facilities located adjacent to City Hall. The Leo Daly architectural firmwas on hand to show several renderings of what the building could eventually look like, and about a dozen residents and library patrons turned out to listen and ask questions. "Your library is a community gathering place," said Tom Findley, vice-president at Leo Daly and the lead architect on this project. "Our goals are to make the library a warm, open, friendly place that enhances and compliments the beautiful plaza you already have." Much to the delight of the Peachtree City library supporters, the proposed additions and renovations reflect a trend in recent years away from sterile, defeaningly quiet libraries to buildings and features that are warmer and more inviting. Among the unique design elements considered in the new library proposal: · A pyramid-shaped cone of special translucent glass will rise above a new entrance, providing natural light to a new children's section. ·A new, separate adult section will feature bay windows doubling as reading nooks that overlook the woods and lake behind the library. One of the bay windows looked out from a teen room, where teens can study together or listen to music as they study. ·Services for older readers, such as large print books, computer training, quiet seating and reading areas, and better lighting both natural and artificial will be considered in the new design. It also sports smaller study or meeting rooms where four to six people can work together. ·One section includes a fireplace to provide a cozy reading environment in colder months. The renovation won't just be asthetical. The expansion is necessary to correct several long-standing architectural and mechanical problems that have plagued the library for years, Gaddo said. The roof, which currently leaks in spite of regular repairs, will be totally re-done. The HVAC system will be re-vamped to provide better control of humidity, another chronic problem for the library. The renovation will also improve security and line-of-sight issues that currently exist, said Gaddo. "The library is now so overcrowded and poorly designed that the staff cannot effectively monitor all parts of the it efficiently." Last week's meeting was the second public workshop held to obtain public input on the proposed design. Another workshop is scheduled for Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. At that meeting, The Leo Daly Company is expected to have detailed cost estimates a key determination in whether or not the project can be put before the voters in the form of a referendum on the November general election ballot. The Library Commission is planning to officially make the request of the City Council at the Sept. 4 council meeting.
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