The latest twist on Senoia’s effort to build a new library this week turned out to be a pleasant one.

City officials learned that $1.2 million has been earmarked by Gov. Sonny Perdue in his bond package to help improve educational opportunities in the state.

“Im pleased, but I was also pleased last year,” said City Administrator Richard Ferry.

Ferry was alluding to the fact the city was slated to receive grant money last year, but the money was not approved by the General Assembly.

If the city gets the funding, Ferry is hopeful ground could be broken by later this year.

This week’s announcement was only the latest chapter in the city’s efforts to build a new building.

In February, 2006, the Senoia City Council decided to place the building in the city’s Seavy Street park. The other option, supported by City Councilman Larry Owens, would have placed the library downtown next to City Hall.

Mayor Robert Belisle said the park offered more parking opportunities and a bigger area to expand the library in the next few years.

But in May, 2007, the city learned indirectly that state officials did not like the location of the building because of its proximity to railroad tracks and overhead power lines. Previously, the town had applied for a grant from the state for the building, but thought it had been turned down. In late May, the city learned the grant had been approved, but in June it did not receive funding in the state budget.

Ferry said the city will look at other sites state officials said might be more fitting for the building, but did not see a problem in getting state approval for a site.

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