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The Athens Drive Community Library (ADCL) has been a valued part of our community for 46 years! In light of plans to renovate Athens Drive High School, the Community Library will be moved out of the high school to make room for other functions. Fortunately, the voters of Wake County generously supported a bond issue in 2024 that includes a replacement for ADCL. There is strong support for keeping the library in our community! We are a diverse community, with walkable streets, conveniently located on bus lines, with dense and affordable housing, and a history of support for, and appreciation of, the library.
A search for suitable sites within the community has been challenging, given the lot size requirements imposed by county planners, and the density of housing in the area. The most suitable location would be very close to the high school, on a large lot at the end of Jaguar Park Drive. This lot is flat, open, has ample room for parking, remains within the current neighborhood, is very close to a bus line, and has all the advantages of walkability. Adjacency to the Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center, and Lake Johnson Park and Swimming Pool, are also major pluses.
This plot of land, however, was deeded to the City of Raleigh with significant restrictions on its use. We are advocating for a land swap by the city of "like for like", which would allow us to build a library on this lot, but this is a complicated process. Our elected local representatives have expressed clear, strong support for keeping the library in our neighborhood, which is great! Continued advocacy by our community will help us find a solution.
What can you do?
What can you do?
Let your elected representatives and our government staff know that keeping the Athens Drive Community Library in our neighborhood is an important issue for you and your friends and family:
Wake County Board of Commissioners (all members): fill out the form at https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/board-commissioners/contact-your-board-commissioners-office
Raleigh City Council (all members): send email to citycouncilmembers@raleighnc.gov
Dr. Robert Taylor, Superintendent of Wake County Public Schools: send email to rptaylor@wcpss.net
Tammy Baggett, Director of Wake County Libraries: send email to tammy.baggett@wake.gov
Attend our meetings, which are publicized here and on social media (see the buttons below), and are always online as well as in person
A profile of Yevonne Brannon about the Athens Drive Community Library, the Friends of the Library, and the plans for a new library, by Voyage Raleigh, may be found here:
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