J'Nell Bryson's design for a new patio in front of the Davidson branch library.
More than 300 people so far have bought engraved bricks in a fund-raiser to keep the Davidson public library branch open for another year. So what will happen to all those pavers? The Davidson Library Task Force on Monday got its first look at drawings for a renovated patio area in front of the branch that will feature the bricks.
Fund-raising hits $100,000 mark, but $75,000 still needed by Sept. 30. Details below.
Charlotte-based landscape architect W. J’Nell Bryson has provided a design that task force members say will both dress up the library’s front lawn and address drainage and erosion problems around an existing brick patio. The new patio would include a 450-square-foot circle that eventually could accommodate 1,600 bricks. Surrounding that would be poured concrete and brick spokes.
The project also includes a low, chair-height retaining wall that would prevent excessive runoff under an old oak on the library lawn and provide seating for events on the Village Green.
Ms. Bryson said her goal was to both provide a layout for donors’ engraved bricks and to address erosion and drainage problems in front of the branch. “The design is basically a retaining wall that acts as a seating wall,” she said at Monday’s meeting. “It will stop mud washing down onto the patio.”
The new patio – which Ms. Bryson also referred to as a “dance floor” – is about double the area of the current bricked patio in front of the library porch.
“I think this is just gorgeous,” said former Davidson Mayor Randy Kincaid, who is chair of the Library Task Force.
The design also recommends other landscaping improvements, including a screen of evergreens at the northwest corner of the green, facing the intersection of Concord Road and Main Street.
Jane Avinger, who has been working with Ms. Bryson on the design and landscaping project, told fellow task force members that she plans to seek help from an outside tree expert to address the health of the big oak and other trees. She and other committee members also have been talking to Davidson College about possibly helping with the patio installation and brick-laying. The college owns the green.
FUND-RAISING CONTINUES
Meanwhile, the Library Task Force is continuing its fund-raising in hopes of raising $175,000 by Sept. 30 to meet the town’s pledge of support to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. The money is needed because of big budget cuts from Mecklenburg County this year that have forced the library system to cut staff and hours.
Neighborhood “captains” and task force members are targeting different parts of town. On the Davidson campus, college faculty are joining forces to buy bricks, and students are volunteering. Members of Rusk House, a women’s eating house, will be going door-to-door soon in the River Run and McConnell neighborhoods to spread the word about the fund-raiser.
Woodlawn School expects to raise $1,300, with each class raising enough to buy a $100 brick. Davidson Day School has pledged $1,000. Organizers are plotting a brick-campaign at Davidson Elementary School. And students from Community School of Davidson plan to solicit passersby outside of Summit Coffee on Main Street in the next couple of weeks.
About 70 residents of The Pines at Davidson have contributed a total of $8,260. Other task force members are approaching local businesses about chipping in, as well.
As of Monday, Sept. 13, the campaign had reached the $100,000 mark, according to fund-raising co-chair Kim Fleming. That’s a big milestone, but Mr. Kincaid noted that there’s still a long way to go before the committee reaches its $175,000 goal.
“We’ve got get out there and sell some bricks,” he told the task force.
The total includes $35,140 from the Town of Davidson, which represents the amount of the library’s lease payment to the town this year. The town has agreed to forgive the payment.
MONDAYS RETURN
This week market the first Monday that the Davidson library was open since hours were cut back this summer. Because of the Library Task Force’s recruitment efforts, the library now 41 volunteers helping out regularly, which has allowed the branch to add a fifth day – Mondays from 1-7.
“This has just been an astounding success. We are very grateful,” Ellen Giduz, manager of both the Davidson and Cornelius branches, said Monday,
COMING EVENTS
Residents in the Spinnaker Cove neighborhood on Lake Davidson are planning a “Books, Bricks and Bordeaux” fund-raiser on Sunday, Sept. 19, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The event is sponsored by Jean & Jim Fuller and Mary Anne & Cliff Hammond. Mayor John Woods will be there, and they’ll be selling bricks in exchange for donations. If you live in the neighborhood, RSVP to Mary Anne Hammond, mahammond@bellsouth.net.
The library staff and task force also are planning an all-day 15th birthday celebration at the Davidson branch and on the Village Green on Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The current branch opened in 1995 after a similar community-wide effort to raise money and keep a local branch in town. The day’s events will include a bit of the branch’s history, kids’ programs, music by the North Mecklenburg Moravian Band and an evening reception. (See our Sept. 9 article about the event, “Library plans 15th birthday event.”)
WANT TO HELP?
The Davidson Library Task Force is selling engraved bricks in a “Pave the Way to Save the Library” fund-raiser. For $100, you get a 4-inch by 4-inch brick, while $500 gets an 8 x 8 brick. The bricks can be given as gifts and engraved with the message of your choice. More information about the Pave the Way to Save the Library campaign is at savedavidsonlibrary.org. Forms also are available and may be dropped off a the Davidson library branch on the Village Green.
