ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Dougherty County is celebrating the start of a transformation at a decades-old library.

Local and state leaders gathered Thursday, May 7, to break ground on renovations at the Westtown Library. The library was built in 1978 and has not been renovated since, according to county officials.

Crews got the go-ahead to gut the building and rebuild it with upgraded HVAC, improved lighting and full ADA compliance.

Dougherty County Library Director Gail Evans said this project has been a long time coming.

“I’m a believer that if you keep pushing, you know, you keep believing, then it’s going to happen,” Evans said.

Planning for the renovation reportedly began around 2016-2017, but COVID-19 delayed the project. The delay resulted in increased costs and the need for additional funding, which was approved.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Dougherty County seeks funding for Westtown library renovation <<

The project is funded through state and local investments totaling $2.6 million.

The Westtown Library is located at 2124 West Waddell Avenue.

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