22 May 2008

Round 2!
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BEN CARTER SUGGESTS A REPLICA
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The county has been asked to develop a feasible study for a new Buckhead Library if the existing library is sold.


From the AJC:

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/05/22/library_0523.html

Yesterday's Fulton County Commissioner's meeting:
Item 08-0472 - Request approval of a Resolution directing the County Manager to take all necessary steps for final Board action on the proposed sale of the Buckhead Branch Library, Tom Lowe

From Fulton County Manager, Zachary Williams, zachary.williams@fultoncountyga.gov:

I will be working with staff to develop a packet of information that would give the Board a clear understanding of how much the library would possibly sell for if they are interested as well as any other conditions that could be place on the sale. Thus far, I have not seen any information. I have been instructed to provide the information by the second Board meeting in June.

01 April 2008

AIA Atlanta
Buckhead Library Tour

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2008
2-3 PM LECTURE
3-5 PM TOUR

AIA Atlanta Tours Committee is pleased to announce the April 2008 Tour is of the Buckhead Branch Library. On Saturday, April 19th, 2008, Mack Scogin from Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects will deliver a lecture in the Main meeting room at the Library from 2:00 - 3:00 pm. Architects from MSME Architects are available to give guided tours of the Buckhead Library located at 269 Buckhead Ave in Buckhead from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. (1 AIA CES Credit is available). Space for the lecture is limited: please RSVP by April 17.

All tours are free and open to the public and press.
Article in
ARCHITECT
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Check out Edward Keegan's article on the Buckhead Library in this month's Architect magazine, page 18.
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20 March 2008

Commissioners Approve Library's Recommendations
LIBRARY SAVED!

From the AJC:
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/03/19/fulton_0320.html

Pitts abstained after making an impassioned plea to his colleagues to delay the vote until April. He wanted more time to research whether Fulton should accept an offer from developer Ben Carter to buy the Buckhead branch, demolish it and include the property in his redevelopment plan for the Buckhead Village.

The board's vote essentially rejected Carter's plan because his offer was not part of the plan approved Wednesday. The unique branch's contemporary design has divided opinions since it opened nearly 20 years ago.


On Wednesday, several supporters of the design pushed commissioners to spare the building.

18 March 2008

Final Master Plan Recommendation from the Library Board to be delivered to the Commission Tomorrow March 19, 2008 at 10 Am!
click for directions
This is where the commission can deny the library board's recommendation to save the library and take the money and run! Please come to support the library board's decision!
Agenda Item 08-0287

07 March 2008

Rally!
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Friends of the Library
Northside Library Association
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Saturday, March 8 @ 11 o'clock
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Join the Friends of the Library for a rally at the Buckhead Branch to urge the County Commissioners to accept the Library Trustees recommendation to not sale the library.

05 March 2008

Developing Stories
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The Buckhead Library is mentioned in the News Highlights of Architectural Record Online.
http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/080215highlights.asp

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Click the podcast on that page, to hear Tom Lowe's infamous "abortion" statement. Architectural Record is developing the story for a future issue.

Architect magazine will feature the story in its upcoming March issue!

29 February 2008

UPDATE ON BOC AGENDA


From Library Director John Szabo:

There really isn’t currently a date that the offer for the land will come before the BOC. Since the Board of Trustees recommended renovating the existing facility and not selling the property, the Library won’t be bringing forward the subject of the land sale. Rather, we’ll be bringing forward a recommendation to renovate this library as part of our Facility Master Plan. The only way I see the issue coming forward is if a Commissioner initiates it.

The Board of Commissioners meet on the first and third Wednesday’s of each month. During all meetings there is a Public Comment section where citizens are allowed to voice County-related requests, concerns, opinions, etc. This normally occurs at the beginning of the meetings which start at 10am. Speakers are granted up to two minutes each.

The Buckhead Library is not on the March 5th BOC Agenda. It will most likely be voted on March 19th.

28 February 2008

Fulton County Board of Commissioners
>
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 @ 10 AM
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Fulton Co. Government Center
141 Pryor Street, SW
Assembly Hall
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Below is the list of commissioners. Contact them in the meantime and let me them you want them to accept the Library Board's recommendation to renovate the existing library as part of the Facility Master Plan.
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John H. Eaves, District 1 (At Large), Chairman: john.eaves@fultoncountyga.gov
Robb Rittes, District 2 (At Large): robb.pitts@co.fulton.ga.us
Lynne Riley, District 3: lynne.riley@co.fulton.ga.us
Tom Lowe, District 4: Tom.Lowe@co.fulton.ga.us
Emma I. Darnell, District 5: Emma.Darnell@co.fulton.ga.us
Nancy A. Boxill, District 6: district6@co.fulton.ga.us
William "Bill" Edwards, District 7, Vice Chairman: William.Edwards@co.fulton.ga.us

27 February 2008

BOARD VOTES TO DECLINE BEN CARTER'S OFFER!
The Board of Trustees voted today to decline Ben Carter's $25 million offer for the land of the Buckhead Library Branch. The Board will recommend this action to the Fulton County Comissioners. The Board chairman declared that this was a moment in Atlanta history to set an example for future generations to remember us by.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT! The Board stated that the passionate response of the community was what lead their decision. Thanks for signing the petition, protesting, and attending the board meeting. The conference room was packed with library users, Buckhead residents, designers, and artist.
Congratulations.