Fulton County Presses Location for New Alpharetta Library
By Robert Strader on May 29th, 2009
At the May 27th meeting in downtown Atlanta the Fulton County Library Board of Trustees pressed for the new 25,000 sq. ft. library site to be located at 495 N. Main Street, at the intersection of Hwy 9 and Winthrope Park Drive. You can see the site plan here: Alpharetta Library.
The Friends of the Alpharetta Library (FOTAL) has released a position paper detailing what the potential site needs to achieve if the new library is to meet the community needs, you can read these characteristics here: Alpharetta Library. I have to say that while the 6-acre site will easily support the building and necessary parking, the location being pushed by Fulton County misses the target one very important detail. It isn’t a pedestrian friendly location within the Downtown Alpharetta Business District.
There are 2 other potential locations that have been proposed, one being the old Milton High School, or what is now called Independence High School. I’m all for that location becoming something that will draw people to downtown Alpharetta but I’m not sure the Library is the best option for that site. A mixed-use development would be great-once we get back to an economic climate that will allow a development like that to happen.
The other potential location is the new Alpharetta City Center. That will be located where City Hall is currently but will also include residential condo’s, retail shops, office condos, and approximately 50,000 – 80,000 sf government building, along with 2 double deck parking structures for parking; all on 9 acres of land. It is the perfect location for the library in my mind, offering easy walking access from the parking structures and another magnet to pull people into the downtown area. Your can check out the current site and all three proposed locations here: Alpharetta City Map.
In the end, the good news is that Alpharetta has long needed a larger, newer facility to support the surrounding communities. We all just need to make sure what Fulton County delivers is what will achieve that goal. Tell us what you think about the locations, or what location you think would meet our needs best.
I disagree with you that a library should have anything to do with the downtown. Alpharetta City Center is going to be unsafe and nearly all parking will be underground, talk about accessibility problem. In addition, I see the library will be hidden away in the other sites and not displayed to everyone passing by, I’d like to have something nice displayed in on Hwy 9 instead of older buildings and shops in the area. Why would you want all the eggs in one basket and in just one area, why not spread it around and make the entire area nice. I live near all the sites and I think the 495 n main is the best choice.
Mike, I think the location on Hwy9 is right in that bend where it will be difficult to get in and out of. Try taking a left out of the Winthrope Park community-it’s difficult and dangerous. Also, while there are homes around that location which people can walk from to the library, with many locations pulling people into the city center I think walking access will be easier. I do think that having things more spread out and making the entire area nice is a good thing to do, I just think the library wouldn’t be best suited there. But thanks for your thoughts, it’s good to hear what others think.
Bob, I see there are 3 access points onto hwy 9 from the library layout; visitors don’t have to turn left at Winthrope Park Dr since this is an alternate entrance, probably made for the residents. I just think the downtown location will be too busy for pedestrians and visitors of the library especially for children going in and out of there; a lot of cars from shoppers, residents, office, and government vehicles, employees, and etc. going in and out of there. However, I am happy the City Center is planned and feel that it will better our area, I don’t think the library belongs there. I was at the meeting a few months back and they said extensive road work was planned in front of the land at 495 n. main, which I am very happy about. That section of road needs to be widened and need some much needed sidewalks on that land instead of dirt.
Mike
The only logical place for the library is in the City Center.
The 495 North Main location is difficult to access and will ultimately be pedestrian unfriendly.
My guess is that a traffic light on Main Street would need to be added to the Winthrope plan to ensure any visitor safety.
The City Center is Alpharetta’s best chance to create a destination down town. It is regrettable that so many want to “tear it down” before it has even been built.
I have to agree with Mike, I think the 495 North Main is best suited for the new library location.
I don’t think the library would need a traffic light if it was to be at 495 North Main; many of larger complexes with far more traffic than a library have no problem with left turns onto Hwy 9. It would be so nice to have something so nice on Hwy 9 so everybody can see it.
Winthrope entrance is just an alternate route into the library. There is 2 others from what I see, and one quite large, which is right off Hwy 9.
Anyway, that section of Hwy 9 isn’t that busy anyway, not like downtown with all the large intersecting busy streets that cross each other, which is bound to get busier with all the development.
I agree with Bob K., that City Center will create a destination for downtown, however, I don’t believe the library will be well situated there. I just think there’s just too many things there for the library to be visitor friendly. Library is a small piece of the City Center.
Guess there is no reason to discuss anymore since Alpharetta City Center is postponed indefinitely, they announced it June 23. I am really sad to hear the news; really wanted to see the city center go up.
I’m with you Jennifer. It’s exactly what Alpharetta needs….someday soon, right!