The Peachtree

City Library Commission met Wednesday night for its regular monthly meeting,

followed by another presentation on the possible library expansion and

renovation and a public workshop.

It was an important

meeting because the $64,000 question was answered. The project will cost

an estimated $4.7 million.

Blaine Paxton

of the Leo Daly Company explained to the commission and the members of

the audience that that amount translates to an average of $25 a year for

each family in Peachtree City for the next 15 years. "It's the price

of one hardcover bestseller a year," he explained. "Or an extra-large

Big Kahuna pizza a year."

What does the

city get for the $4.7 million, which could be a little higher than the

actual amount as it includes money for contingencies that may not be needed?

It includes a rebuilt and clear entrance to the library, a renovated and

larger children's section, a small coffee shop area near a new and larger

adult and young adult section, an expanded audio/visual area, reworked

shelves, improved lighting, an outdoor terrace/courtyard, more parking

at the bottom of the library and a loop road, walkways, landscaping, a

connecting canopy to city hall, and new books, stacks, tables and chairs.

The money would also be used to fix existing deficiencies with the current

roof and HVAC system and getting things up to par with Americans with

Disabilities Act standards.

"This

is a great time to set a bond," said Paxton, who said that he hasn't

see rates this low in the past 15-17 years. "When you set the bond,

the rate freezes. The economy is starting to turn around and rates will

soon go up."

He continued

want to go back in front of City Council a few years down the line to

try to get more money."

The crowd at

the meeting was not as large as meetings in the past, but there were a

few concerns.

One gentlemen

with a background in construction felt that the skylight over the children's

area would produce too much heat. A Daly company representative stated

that the material used for the skylight would be a special kind of fiberglass

used on past projects that blocks out heat during the day and keeps heat

locked in at night.

Another gentlemen

wanted to know if it was possible to survey the community to see if they

wanted the library to expand, but this idea was shot down by the members

of the commission. "The vote will be where the issue will be decided,"

said commission member Barbara Chapman Swafford. The rest of the commission

agreed with her, also stating that there would not be enough time to survey

the community if they were to get the question on this November's ballot.

In fact, the

Library Commission will go before City Council next Thursday evening,

and if all goes well, they will have a workshop the following Wednesday

to discuss how to get the word out to the public.

The project

already has the blessing of the Peachtree City Planning Commission. Paxton

represented the Daly Company at Monday's meeting and gave them a brief

overview of the project. While some members were concerned that the plaza

would lose some of its symmetry, all were excited about the project, felt

the plans looked good and were pleased with the presentation. Commission

member Bob Buckley admitted he was a frequent user of the library and

really liked the idea of a coffee shop.

Chapman-Swafford

mentioned at Wednesday's meeting that 90 percent of library bonds pass

and that everyone should stay positive and hope that "the community

will step to the plate and get a nice library for the city."