The Hooper-Renwick Themed Library has received the Redevelopment Project of the Year award at the Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit. This annual event recognizes projects in Metro Atlanta that demonstrate excellence in design, innovation, and community impact.
The library project transformed the historic Hooper-Renwick School, which was once Gwinnett County’s only public school for Black students, into a themed public library and museum. The new facility aims to connect history with present-day education through preservation and storytelling.
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson commented on the significance of the project: “The Hooper-Renwick project reminds us that progress doesn’t mean replacing history, it means learning from it. To have this project recognized as Redevelopment Project of the Year validates the vision we had for this place – preserving the past while giving our community a library and museum that uplifts us all.”
Developed in partnership with Lawrenceville, the facility maintains aspects of the original school building while adding new spaces for exhibits, reading areas, and community events. The museum section focuses on honoring former educators and students from Hooper-Renwick. Meanwhile, the adjoining library provides greater access to books, technology resources, and programs.
The Redevelopment Project of the Year award is given to projects that contribute to cultural, social, and economic growth in their region. The summit where this honor was announced is organized by Partnership Gwinnett along with the Council for Quality Growth.
Gwinnett County schools enrolled 190,044 students during the 2022-23 academic year according to data from https://www.gadoe.org/. Enrollment increased by less than 0.1% compared to the previous year (https://www.gadoe.org/). In terms of student demographics during that period, white students made up 18% of total enrollment (https://www.gadoe.org/).
