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Thursday, May 22, 2008
Developer Offers to Build Replica of Buckhead Library

Posted by: lain // Category: Historic Preservation // 12:13 pm

Ben Carter, developer of the Streets of Buckhead, has proposed to demolish then build a replica of the Buckhead Library. He’s offering $24 million.

What is this, Epcot?

Buckhead Library Could Soon Be Toast

To bring everyone up to speed, the Streets of Buckhead is the alleged and now under construction “Rodeo Drive” of Atlanta. The Buckhead Library, one of the most significant buildings in our city, sits right in the middle of it.

Several months ago, Carter offered to tear it down, but was met with staunch opposition.

What if this weren’t Atlanta? What if Carter went to another major city and offered to tear down some of their best architecture but then build a replica of it?

It would be a joke. It should be a joke here.

I’ve got a better idea–clearly, the Fulton County Commission is interested in the $24 million that Carter is offering, and, um, for good reason. That’s a lot of money.

Is there any reason that Carter can’t buy the land immediately surrounding the library (the parking lot), and build right up to the edge of the library?

Buckhead Library Parking Lots, I think

That way the library stays, the parking lot goes, and the Streets of Buckhead is much better off by providing a development that is walkable, diverse, and has at least one thing that is architecturally significant.

In the long run, not only will the library be a valuable commodity for Carter, but it will also attract investment and customers to a neighborhood that doesn’t feel so much like Disneyland.

Update: Oh, and here’s ajc.com’s photo gallery of the library.

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2 Comments


  1. Rachel
    Comment // May 22nd, 2008 // 1:30 pm

    If this was Epcot, then I could get a nice footlong hotdog for $12. But it’s not, so I’ll settle for the Hamdog and a side of quadruple bypass.

    And as far of tearing down the library…it’s only a good idea if they put in a replica of the library, but instead of books, it’s filled with Nintendo Wii’s.


  2. lain
    Comment // May 22nd, 2008 // 1:35 pm

    Astute as always, Rachel.

    In the off-chance that a replica gets built, I would hope that the kitsch value would be fully realized, complete with holograms, some sort of gentle rollercoaster, and–yes–Nintendo Wiis.

    In the future we could explain to the children what books once were and how libraries were chock-full of ‘em. Then they would look at us like we’re stupid.

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