Tucker, GA — The city of Tucker broke ground on a project July 29 that will eventually house City Hall.

Demolition at the site, the former Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library and four surrounding homes, has been nearly a year in the making. Tucker City Council voted in September 2020 to accept DeKalb County’s Sept. 22 offer to sell 4316 Church St., a former public library. An appraisal dated Feb. 6 states the fair market value of the land is $230,000. A Tucker spokesperson said the library building will be demolished to create a public space for the community.

City Council has already approved spending of $172,449 on the project.

– In November 2020, a contract was approved for $97,000 for demolition and asbestos removal at the former library was approved. Environmental studies showed asbestos found in floor tiles and window caulking. The scope of the project includes asbestos abatement, demolition, site grading and stabilization, according to a memo from the city.

– In January 2021, a contract was approved for $69,684 to demolish the buildings, grade the land and create a public green space.

– In May 2021, a contract for $5,765 was approved for the installation of an outdoor fitness court. Tucker Parks and Recreation expects to use a $25,000 grant from Georgia Recreation and Parks Association to defray costs of the fitness court.

Mayor Frank Auman wrote in his blog that he long ago “saw this as a critical piece of downtown real estate where we could build a municipal center, activating that whole side of downtown and connecting it with Main Street.”

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