As Wake County plans library moves, Raleigh neighborhood fears being left behind
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Residents urge Wake County to keep Athens Drive Library within SW Raleigh.
- County weighs school security, space limits and Cary relocation option.
- Bond funds back multiple library projects; new Southeast site bought for 2028.
Residents worry time is running out to keep a library branch in their Raleigh neighborhood
On Monday, about a dozen people asked Wake County leaders to keep the Athens Drive Library in their southwest Raleigh neighborhood, and not to move it to Cary.
The Athens Drive Library is the only one of the more than 20 Wake County Public Library locations inside a school. The county is looking for a new location because of security concerns about people being on school property and upcoming school renovations.
Neighbors want it to stay in the area, but there is limited space in the southwest Raleigh neighborhood near Lake Johnson.
The Rev. James Kubal-Komoto, lead minister at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh, shared the results of a study that found neighborhoods flourish when children can walk to a local library.
“I know you have many important decisions before you today,” he told the county commissioners. “I know you have limited resources, but I encourage you to make a decision that gives all of our neighborhoods within Wake County their best chance at flourishing.”
No defined deadline
“We appreciate their input and their advocacy,” Commissioner Chair Susan Evans said after the residents spoke Monday. “We’re trying to be thoughtful, given the options that we have, and we’re still in consideration mode.”
The county doesn’t have a defined deadline, she added, but “obviously, with real estate, time is always of the essence in Wake County.”
Advocates pointed to two locations that Wake County is considering for the library.
The first is at 1321 and 1405 Athens Drive, across the intersection from the current library, known in the neighborhood as the Well Fed Community Garden.
The second is at 5417 Tryon Road in Cary on Wake County Public School System owned property about a seven-minute drive from the existing library.
Raleigh City Council member Jane Harrison, who represents southwest Raleigh, attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of residents.
“I know you’ve all been in talks about purchasing another site directly across from Athens Drive High School, a five-minute walk from the current library,” she said. “I implore you, please choose this option and do it with urgency for the good of the people you serve, for the people I serve, to maintain trust and ensure equity in decision making. Let’s figure this out together.”
Southeast Raleigh library
Moving the Athens Drive library is one of several construction projects included in the $143 million library bond that voters backed in 2024. Others included adding new libraries in Rolesville, the Friendship area of Apex and a third location that has not yet been identified.
The bond also included expanding the Fuquay-Varina library and renovating the Fayetteville, Green Road, Leesville, Northwest, Richard B. Harrison, Southeast and Zebulon libraries and the library administration building.
On Monday, the Wake County Board of Commissioners voted to buy land at 2802 and 2818 New Birch Drive in Raleigh for a standalone library in Southeast Raleigh to replace the Southgate branch.
“This is a meaningful milestone for Southeast Raleigh,” Commissioner Tara Waters said. “Southgate has served as a cornerstone of this community for nearly 40 years, supporting so many individuals, families and partner organizations. This new location not only honors that rich history, but also expands our ability to foster learning, increase literacy and empower residents for decades to come.”
The Southgate branch will remain open until the new library opens in 2028.
This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 9:47 AM.
