The grand opening celebration of the Drakeford Library Complex located at 203 S. Greensboro St. is set for 11 a.m. Friday, March 21. A previous date for the grand opening was postponed following a winter storm that created hazardous travel conditions.
The $42 million development is the home of the Orange County Southern Branch Library, the Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department, Orange County Skills Development and NCWorks Career Center, WCOM Radio, and public performance and multipurpose spaces.
The largest public facility in the history of Carrboro, the three-level building was designed by Per-kins & Will Architects and built by Barnhill Contracting Company. At about 52,000 square feet, it features a library, workrooms, classrooms, meeting rooms, flex spaces, a radio studio, third-floor terrace, a performance space and more. The building is attached to a parking deck consisting of 171 parking spaces.
Grand Opening
While the facility has been open to the public , the event to mark its completion is cause for celebration. The grand opening will feature a ribbon cutting, remarks by special guests including members of the Drakeford Family, and tours of the building. Refreshments will be provided by Neal’s Deli and Open Eye Café.
Officiating the public ceremony will be Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee and Orange County Board of County Commissioners Chair Jamezetta Bedford, joined by U.S. Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, Town Manager Patrice Toney, and members of the Drakeford family, including Derrick Drakeford and Bobby Drakeford, sons of the late Dr. Robert Drakeford.