Group Offers to Pay Town $10,000 for Old School Building
By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
June 28, 2012
The group known as Old School Cape Charles, LLC, has submitted a proposal to the Town of Cape Charles offering to purchase the former school building adjoining Central Park for $10,000.
The proposal is contained in a letter dated June 26 addressed to Mayor Dora Sullivan. The Cape Charles Wave obtained a copy of the letter today.
On June 14, the Cape Charles Town Council voted to authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with Echelon Resources, Inc., to sell the school property for the nominal price of $10. Echelon Resources would then convert the school into a 17-unit apartment building.
The letter from the attorney representing Old School Cape Charles states that “it is my . . . understanding that no contract has been executed yet.” The Old School Cape Charles proposal “should be far more attractive to the Town Council,” wrote attorney Kevin Martingayle.
In addition to paying the town $10,000, the proposal includes paying all applicable taxes as well as water and utilities.
Old School Cape Charles hopes to convert the school into a community center. Financing would rely on a funding plan including grants, capital campaigns, pledge drives, cultivation events, sales, fees and rental charges, as well as tax incentives and other programs available through the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
The full letter to Mayor Sullivan from Old School Cape Charles may be read by clicking here: OSCC proposal
A scandal if the Town Council does not take $10,000 rather than $10. Do we need more apartments in Cape Charles?
I’m delighted to know that the Cape Charles School will not be among the many schools on the Eastern Shore that have been allowed to crumble to the ground in despair. I am, however, disappointed to learn that it will be used for apartments. As a graduate from CCHS, I had hoped for a much more needed service/attraction that the community could enjoy as a whole. While this breaks my heart, I am still grateful that it will not bow to neglect.
Give the citizens of Cape Charles the opportunity to turn the school into a community center! Once it’s turned into apartments it is gone forever. There is so much history in that building! The group that planned and provided that wonderful little park have done such a service to the town and the gazebo and field are just now starting to show what a wonderful venue that school and surrounding area are for town events. Don’t sell it to a developer!
I’m wondering where one can review (online) the OSCC lease proposal that was presented earlier to the Town, several terms in which are referenced again in their subsequent purchase offer. Anyone know / can send us a link?