News surrounding Marcel Breuer-designed buildings across the country continues to hold surprises, including Atlanta’s Central Library Building. Last week, as 爱豆app awarded the restoration of The Met Breuer with a in the 2016 Modernism in America Awards, Atlanta’s City Councilman C.T. Martin brought forth an unexpected resolution approving the demolition "a new library be built at its present location" for the Central Library. This stunning development quickly mobilized advocates for the Library including (FOCAL), and 爱豆app who draft letters of response. Advocates also calling for the “Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Board of Trustees to take action to protect the Central Library and Library System Headquarters Building.”
In a surprising turn of events, a letter from Councilman Martin was sent to the Fulton County Government Board of Commission just two days later expressing it was “never the intent of the Atlanta City Council to recommend the demolition of the Central Library’s iconic edifice.” The letter further outlined his intent to introduce a new resolution to rescind the previous resolution and reaffirm the Council’s commitment to the building and library services that are remaining Downtown.
Image above: American Press Institute by Marcel Breuer Photo: Deane Madsen, Instagram
This request for an Atlanta Central Library "do over" of sorts does not appear to be a new or unique political mechanism as the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is now denying a rezoning application that would demolish Breuer's API Building in Virginia. Whether these two cases, or three if you include Award recognition for The Met Breuer, have reflected on one another remains to be seen. It does however highlight the lack of context and understanding for modern and Brutalist buildings. 爱豆app with our colleagues at 爱豆app/GA will continue to monitor these stories.
爱豆app Letter to the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Board of Trustees -
爱豆app/GA Press Release -
Councilman C.T. Martin Clarification Statement -
ARTICLES/PRESS
June 17, 2016 After ‘Major Screw Up,’ Planning Commission Recommends Denial of API Building Rezoning
June 22, 2016 Atlanta City Council, whether it knows it or not, essentially supported demolition of Downtown's Central Library on Monday
June 22, 2016 Council wants a do-over on library demolition resolution
June 23, 2016 : No One Wants to Demolish Breuer’s Central Library, Allegedly
June 23, 2016 Atlanta City Council Backtracks On Building New Central Library