The $1.5 million renovation of the Carnegie Building in downtown Newnan is coming to an end. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand re-opening for the historic building will be held Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

After a little more than 11 months of construction activity, the highly anticipated Carnegie Building is almost complete and ready to open to the public, said Public Information Officer Gina Snider. The event will start the “Celebration Week” festivities.

Mayor Keith Brady and members of Newnan City Council will officially cut the ribbon in what is anticipated to be a large community event to begin the festivities of ‘Celebration Week.’ The public is invited to join the City of Newnan in this celebratory event.

Snider said the Carnegie was funded by the 2007 Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The Carnegie’s cost to be renovated was over $1.5 million dollars to the city.

The public is asked to join the festivities at Greenville Street Park beginning at 5:30 p.m. (located at Greenville Street and Salbide Avenue) for those who would like to join the procession to the Carnegie. There will be Scottish dancers and other entertainment provided at the park before the ribbon cutting. Others are welcome to wait in front of the Carnegie until the procession arrives at 6:30 p.m.

The city has partnered with the Carnegie Foundation to present ‘Celebration Week’, which will take place with the September 15th ribbon cutting through Saturday, September 19th with various speakers and planned activities for all ages. 

“We look forward to the grand re-opening of this beautiful historic building. We encourage residents to visit this distinctive facility. We hope that the Carnegie becomes a community gathering place,” said Amy Mapel, Media Coordinator.

Carnegie is one of the most historically significant structures in downtown Newnan and was built in 1904. The building served as a library until 1987 when a new facility was constructed on Hospital Road. With its iconic lighted sign that states the ‘City of Homes’ on top  of the building, citizens recognize the Carnegie when they drive through historic downtown.

Newly restored by the City of Newnan, the Carnegie has brought back library type services in the downtown area. The bottom floor of the building serves as a reading room and the second floor as a meeting space. Among its many offerings, the Carnegie brings popular magazines and newspapers, computer workstations and Wi-Fi access, a gallery for local exhibits, meeting rooms with warming kitchen and programs for adults and children. The Carnegie will serve the public with a non-circulating reading room, children’s area, and an art gallery. It seeks to be an integral part of the community by offering print and electronic materials.

For more information on the Carnegie, please visit www.ci.newnan.ga.us or email amapel@cityofnewnan.org

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