ATLANTA -- The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Board of Trustees is considering building a $90 million landmark library in the heart of downtown.
Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts made the pitch to the board Wednesday afternoon. He said the city needs an architecturally wonder and the current central library needs expensive renovations. "The timing is perfect," he said.
Pitts says the county would save approximately $34 million by NOT doing the renovations. They could then sell the building for an estimated $40 million. Pitts says private donations and naming rights could also help fund the new building.
The average 300,000 square foot library costs $90 million to build, according to Pitts.
He suggests the new eye-catching library should be situated near the Georgia Aquarium and New World of Coke.
The library board and Fulton County Commissioners must OK the plan by July 16th. That's the deadline for the November ballot. Fulton County voters will have the final say on the landmark library proposal when they vote on the bond issue.
