Historic school renovation project in New Kent on hold – Daily Press

NEW KENT — Proposals to remodel New Kent’s Thirties Historic College right into a group heart and library have been positioned on maintain amid considerations over the challenge’s price.

The renovation of the varsity at 11825 New Kent Freeway was anticipated to start this spring, in line with New Kent County’s web site.

Nevertheless, the group heart idea is on the again burner and the Board of Supervisors is contemplating utilizing the area as a substitute to fulfill the growth wants of county authorities in Virginia’s fastest-growing county.

A separate proposal to construct a group heart at Wahrani within the jap finish of the county can also be coming underneath scrutiny because the board seeks to scale back a proposed actual property tax hike within the price range for fiscal 12 months 2025.

In September, Andrew Smolak of Moseley Architects introduced plans for the historic faculty together with group lecture rooms, a group library and a performing arts element.

County Administrator Rodney Hathaway advised the board on March 19 that the proposal got here in “approach over price range.”

“There was some dialogue of as a substitute of doing a group heart, the actual want is workplace area, so ought to we go down that path?” he mentioned. “I’ve stopped that challenge whereas we decide what the main focus of that constructing must be.”

He mentioned the county has already borrowed $7 million for the renovation. The group heart design is priced at $13 million.

“House is a matter and that would be the quickest factor as a substitute of a brand new $20-$30 million administration constructing,” board chair Thomas Evelyn mentioned. He advised the varsity’s fitness center may serve a group use.

The group heart blueprint meant to inform the story of the Historic College, the previous New Kent College.

New Kent College and close by George W. Watkins College are related to the case of Inexperienced v. County College Board of New Kent in 1968, which is seen as probably the most vital desegregation case the U.S. Supreme Courtroom determined after Brown v. Board of Training.

Hathaway defended the Wahrani group heart proposal on the March 19 assembly.

“Sure, We’d like a group heart within the jap finish however … we want a voting precinct within the jap space. We don’t have one. We’re utilizing an area that’s available on the market for lease proper now. When that’s leased up we gained’t have an area … I’ve been unable to discover a appropriate different location in that precinct proper now,” he mentioned.

David Macaulay, [email protected]