LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Heads up Louisville, renderings for three libraries being renovated are available.
Last December, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg reallocated millions of dollars in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to both maintain Louisville's parks and renovate several public libraries.
The money came from the more than $40 million in ARP funding grant originally meant for a workforce development project led by the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, but was taken back after an ethics trial found Republican Metro Councilman Anthony Piagentini was guilty of ethics code violations for taking a job with the CEOC non-profit.
Parkland Library
After more than three decades, the Parkland Library will soon be reopened in 2025.
Officials closed the Carnegie Library in 1986 due to budget cuts. Since then, community members have fought to reopen it.
According to the library's website, some of the amenities will include books of course, computers and printing services, meeting rooms and more.
Click here to take a virtual tour of the space.
Fern Creek Library
The new building will be 18,000-square-feet and be located on Fern Creek Road next to Fern Creek High School.
The building will have a green roof with a green space attached to the building.
It will feature a lot of natural light, comfortable reading spaces, meeting rooms and dedicated areas for children and teens according to their website.
Some of the services and features the Louisville Free Public Library implemented were from the public meeting they hosted.
Officials hope to open this branch in 2025.
Portland Library
Not only will the original 6,000 square foot library be renovated, but crews will be adding a 4,500 square foot addition to the building according to their website.
The building will also be made wheelchair accessible and offer "modern library services" like a Maker Space and a community room.
Both the Portland and Parkland libraries will also have elevators available.
The Portland Library is expected to open late this year.
PHOTOS: Renderings of the updated Portland Branch Library
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