Carrboro is gearing up to celebrate a major milestone in its downtown revitalization: the grand opening of the Drakeford Library Complex. Set for Friday, February 21, this long-anticipated facility at 203 South Greensboro Street marks a transformative addition to the community, blending education, recreation, and cultural resources.
The event kicks off at 11 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring remarks from town officials. Public tours of the facility will follow, running from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., giving residents their first glimpse inside this state-of-the-art development.
A Vision Years in the Making
The $42 million project has been a vision for Carrboro since 2016, when town leaders identified the downtown parking surface lot as an ideal site for this ambitious endeavor. However, the push for a library in Carrboro goes back even further—over 30 years of advocacy and public support have paved the way for this milestone.
Construction officially began in May 2022, and the result is a three-story, 50,000-square-foot facility that offers much more than a library.
Features of the Drakeford Library Complex
The new complex is designed to meet the needs of a growing and dynamic community. Its highlights include:
A new branch of the Orange County Public Library, providing expanded access to books, resources, and programs.
A permanent home for key organizations, including:
Carrboro Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Resources Department.
Orange County Skills Development Center.
WCOM Radio.
Performance and multipurpose spaces, ideal for community events, meetings, and cultural programming.
A modern parking deck with 171 vehicle spaces and 70 bike parking spots, offering a significant upgrade to the previous surface lot.
The full announcement, along with additional details about the project, can be found on the Town of Carrboro’s website and the local government’s project page.
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