SYLACAUGA Three of four multi-million dollar construction projects are winding down, while the fourth is complete.The four projects total an estimated $15 million.
The one project finished is the completely renovated and expanded county building on the corner of North Norton Avenue and West Fourth Street. This new facility cost approximately $2.4 million.
The three projects winding down construction include B.B. Comer Memorial Library, Nichols-Lawson Middle School and Fire Station No. 2.
B.B. Comer Memorial Library has closed until Dec. 1, when it will reopen in a spacious new building that includes some 18,000 additional square feet of space. The library is almost doubling in size.
The library had outgrown its building while continuing to serve not only the residents of Sylacauga but other citizens in a four-county area.
Approximate cost of the library construction is more than $2.5 million.
The project added space on the first floor for books and seating, a new computer center, bookstore, quiet reading area and more. Also included is a local history and genealogy center and an auditorium that will seat more than 200.
The second floor features more space for children and young adults from a new story pit to room for additional computers and shelving for books.
More than $1 million of the project comes from the library's foundation, another $500,000 from the city and a $500,000 bond issue from funds it receives from sales tax through the Talladega County Commission.
Dr. Shirley Spears, library director, asks for the public's patience in the weeks ahead as the library completes its move and reopens.
Fire Station No. 2 on Alabama 21 North is anticipating opening before the first of the year, Fire Chief Tommy Abrams said.
The new station will have 5,220 square feet of space, almost double the current station's size. Two fire trucks will be housed at the station with two firefighters per shift, seven-days-a-week, 24-hours-a-day.
The cost of construction for the fire station is more than $750,000. The Alabama Department of Transportation is paying for the station because the original station is located where Alabama 21 North will be widened.
Abrams said the department can't wait to get in the new building to better serve the north end of Sylacauga.
The city Board of Education is spending more than $9.1 million to complete its new middle school on Alabama 21 North across from Evergreen Cemetery.
Nichols-Lawson Middle School is on schedule to open when students return to school after the Christmas holidays.
Superintendent Dr. Phil Hammonds said everything is on target for students to go straight to Nichols-Lawson when they come back from the holidays Jan. 6. Teachers will start Jan. 5.
During the weekend of Dec. 12, commercial movers will begin to move desks, filing cabinets and other furniture to the new school.
Mayor Bruce Carr said that with the completion of all these projects, he sees a big advantage in promoting the Marble City as a quality place to live.
"The new fire station is going to mean a lot to the northern end of town and will be an asset to those neighborhoods. The station is a showcase for people coming into and leaving Sylacauga on Alabama 21 North. It looks sharp and is a good way to see city government in action," he said.
On the middle school, Carr said this is another way to make the northern gateway into Sylacauga nicer.
"This is just another way to help promote Sylacauga with a new multi-million dollar school. It is something to be proud of for years to come," he said.
The library project will definitely draw people downtown, Carr said.
"While they are visiting our library and using it, we certainly hope they shop Sylacauga. We've got so much going on for us today, including the county building that is now open to the south end of the county," he said.
