The Orange County Board of County Commissioners and Carrboro Town Council recently voted to name the new building at 203 S. Greensboro Street the “Drakeford Library Complex” in honor of Bob Drakeford, Carrboro’s first Black mayor, who passed away in 2022. This decision reflects a deep recognition of Drakeford’s lasting legacy, particularly his contributions to local government, infrastructure, and community inclusivity.
Drakeford Library Complex
Bob Drakeford, who served as Carrboro’s mayor from 1977 to 1983, was a trailblazer and a progressive advocate for equity and accessibility. His leadership was instrumental in creating the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Bus System, which remains a crucial part of the area’s public transit infrastructure. He also played a pivotal role in establishing pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly policies, solidifying Carrboro’s reputation as a town committed to sustainable and accessible urban planning. Drakeford’s vision of public spaces extended beyond transit — he also prioritized economic development by creating a loan program to foster local business entrepreneurship, and he was responsible for the creation of Carrboro Community Park, later renamed Hank Anderson Community Park.
The naming of the new Drakeford Library Complex honors his broad, visionary impact on Carrboro, particularly in creating spaces that foster inclusivity, education, and community engagement.
