A Fort Oglethorpe resident wants the library building on Barnhardt Circle torn down, and the polo field green extended.

At the City Council’s Aug. 24 meeting, Jeff Foster, who lives on Barnhardt Circle, presented his idea to the council.

He said he wanted the library building, which has been abandoned for the last 10 years, removed.

Currently, the city uses the building for storage. City manager Ron Goulart said the city’s Christmas decorations are stored there.

Foster said abandoned buildings always encourage vandalism and give shelter to other illegal activities that he does not want his children exposed to.

He also said he thought the area would be better suited to be part of the polo field green.

The old building is on parcel 35, while the open green area of the polo field is denoted parcel 34. Foster proposed that parcel 35 become part of parcel 34, extending the green area.

Mayor Ronnie Cobb said any decision will have to abide by the 1996 charter that concerns Barnhardt Circle.

The charter states that the grounds “shall be preserved in its present condition for the use and benefit of the general public and no further construction or obstruction of any sort is allowed in the said circle.”

Goulart said the outcome of a lawsuit against the city regarding the cricket pitch on Barnhardt Circle would be instructive on whether the charter would allow the removal of the old library building.

In that lawsuit plaintiff Sharon Anderson, who lives on Barnhardt Circle, claims the city unlawfully constructed the cricket pitch, which is a 22-yard strip of concrete used for the European sport of cricket.

Goulart recommended that any further discussion of removing the building be postponed until after the results of the pending litigation.