Wednesday night's meeting

of the Peachtree City library Commission was, in essence, a rekickoff

of the project.

Members of Leo Daly, the firm

designing the library expansion and renovation, were on hand to present

their schematic design and to hear comments from the commission and community

and Randy Gaddo let everybody know where the bond process was. Everything

is on schedule for construction to begin late this summer.

Gaddo stated that the bond

company is feeling that private placement would be the best way to go

and that the best rate so far is 3.85 percent. He estimated that there

will be a locked in rate by the end of February. He also stated that there

would be a bond validation at the Feb. 5 meeting of city council, which

would make sure that the bond process is proceeding correctly.

Members of Leo Daly presented

their drawings, which showed everything that was discussed before the

bond was passed. The expansion included 7,000 square feet out towards

Drake Field, from where the current children's section is, and 4,000

square feet out into the plaza. The entrance will be moved, as will the

bathrooms at the entrance, and the children's section will move to

the right of the new entrance, while the young adult section will move

towards the expansion towards Drake Field. The librarian's desks

have moved more towards center, giving them clear sight lines into every

section. bay windows have been put in to overlook the lake and provide

nice reading spaces with lots of natural light. There were plans for a

fireplace and a beverage shop on the plans and it will be up to the commission

to decide whether or not they stay on there.

One member of the community

in attendance stated concerns about the conical skylight over the children's

section, stating that there are already moisture problems at the library

and the conical skylight would be vulnerable to water penetration and

fading. Blaine Paxton of Leo Daly stated that the skylight would be made

with diffused glass and would provide diffused light and that if done

correctly, there would be no leakage problems. He also assured the audience

that the design is still conceptual and it is all up for discussion.

The next meeting of the Peachtree

City Library Commission will be Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at council

chambers at City Hall.