Former Bethel School Project

Cabarrus County commissioned a structural investigation and a feasibilty assessment of the former Bethel School property on Hwy 24/27 in Midland in 2007 after a group of citizens requested that the building be saved.

Former Bethel School Feasibility Assessment

Former Bethel School Structural Investigation

On February 4, 2008, the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners met with Midland Town Council to discuss options for the property. Studies that were performed to indicate possible uses of the former school buildings focused mostly on satellite offices for county services. While satellite offices would be convenient for Midland residents, commissioners noted that the sparse population makes it difficult to justify the large expense of revovating the building, purchasing additional assets to upfit the building for county services, and hiring additional county staff. Some residents of southern Cabarrus County have expressed interest in raising money to renovate the buildings for government and community use.

Recommendation by Board of Commissioners – Given the considerations above and the escalating fiscal demands placed on the county by continual school enrollment increases the following recommendations are offered:

1. Sell the site and use the proceeds for school capital needs
   
   
2. Lease the site to the town of Midland with the following conditions: $1 per year; Term of 10 to 20 years with additional renewal options; Annual fund raising benchmarks of $1 million per year. If the benchmarks are not achieved then the site is offered for sale with proceeds used for school capital needs; The town must secure the buildings and repair the roofs within 8 months; Renovations must begin within 18 months; Failure to meet these requirements will result in the site being offered for sale with proceeds used for school capital needs; and The county will provide a seed grant of $250,000.

Midland Town unanimously voted to table its consideration of the proposal. In light of Midland's motion to table, the Board of Commissioners were in favor of waiting for a response from Midland before proceeding further.

At the annual board retreat January 30-31, 2009, the Board of Commissioners discussed the former Bethel School project. Since the Town of Midland has not come back to the Board to re-open discussion and since Cabarrus County is facing a $6 million budget deficit this fiscal year and a $19 million budget deficit next fiscal year, Commissioners discussed the possiblity of selling the property to an interested investor.

The Board of Commissioners discussed several options at its work session February 2, 2009. The Board is scheduled to vote on the matter at its regular meeting February 16, 2009.

Presentation at Board Retreat