PETITION TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF BRISTOL, TENNESSEE

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 

SUBJECT: Maintain, Protect, and Fully Fund the Avoca Branch Library 

 

To the Mayor, City Manager, and Members of the Bristol Tennessee City Council: 

 

We, the undersigned residents, taxpayers, and registered voters of Bristol, Tennessee, stand in absolute opposition to any proposed closure, funding reduction, or structural repurposing of the Avoca Branch Library (1500 Volunteer Pkwy). 

 

The Avoca Branch Library is a vital neighborhood infrastructure asset providing essential educational programs, free internet access, a safe learning environment for children, and crucial resources for seniors and families. Recent unannounced, after-hours walkthroughs by municipal teams scoping the building for alternative uses—compounded by serious building safety violations—have caused deep concern regarding the transparency of the city's intentions. 

 

We find it unacceptable that municipal funds are allocated toward multi-million dollar downtown real estate transactions while neighborhood infrastructure like the Avoca Library faces budget uncertainty. 

 

Therefore, we petition the Bristol Tennessee City Council at the October 6, 2026 meeting to: 

 

1. Pledge publicly to maintain, fully fund, and protect the Avoca Branch Library at its current location.

2. Cease all behind-closed-doors planning or feasibility studies aimed at repurposing the library into a dispatch center or any other municipal office.

3. Commit to absolute transparency regarding all future city facilities planning, ensuring neighborhood stakeholders are notified and consulted well in advance of any operational changes.