Athens Reporter

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) is seeking public input on the designs for a new library branch located at 1030 Barnett Shoals Road. This initiative is part of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) 2020 Project 25 – East Side Public Library.

Residents are invited to participate in three open house sessions scheduled for December, where they can learn about the designs and offer feedback. The sessions will take place on Wednesday, December 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Athens-Clarke County Library Multipurpose Room; Wednesday, December 11, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Fire Station #7; and later that day from 5:00 to 7:00 PM also at Fire Station #7.

Feedback can also be submitted online through www.accgov.com/eastsidelibrary until December 15. The website provides additional project details, including recordings of presentations made to the Mayor and Commission during their September and November sessions this year, as well as design drawings.

In an interesting addition, residents may suggest a song that symbolizes Athens or inspires expanded horizons. The design team is exploring ways to incorporate such a song symbolically into the building's façade.

On September 3rd this year, the Mayor and Commission approved the location for the new library branch unanimously. Owned by ACCGov, the site offers proximity to North Oconee River Greenway segments and nearby bus stops along Barnett Shoals Road with potential space for future expansion.

The project has been allocated approximately $14.4 million in SPLOST funds covering various aspects such as design, construction, public art installation, books procurement, land acquisition, permitting processes along with furniture and equipment provision.

The schematic design vote by the Mayor and Commission is tentatively planned for February next year. Construction bidding is expected in fall of next year with completion anticipated by spring of 2027.

For further information about this project contact Capital Projects Department via phone or email provided above or visit their official webpage.