Wayne Community College board OKs transfer of acreage
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 26, 2015 1:46 PM
The Wayne Community College board of trustees on Tuesday approved land transfers for three projects, including up to six acres for the county's proposed agricultural and civic center at the corner of New Hope Road and Wayne Memorial Drive.
Board member Tommy Jarrett, chairman of the building committee, presented all three real estate items for separate votes, explaining that they will also require approval from the state Board of Community Colleges. They are also subject to land surveys to define exact boundaries, he said.
The agricultural center was the largest of the projects, part of a collaboration between the city of Goldsboro and County of Wayne to build a new agricultural/conference center.
"It has to come back for further discussion when we see exactly what can be done and what will be done. And there's some sophisticated stuff going on here," he said, citing storm runoff as just one area requiring further investigation. "What we're doing here today is authorizing or going on record as saying this board is willing to give up six acres of land."
Jarrett admitted he doesn't like giving up the college's land, but made the recommendation in the spirit of good will between the city and county.
"One thing we do want to impress upon people is that we're fiercely committed to the beauty of this campus and whatever they build out there, we want to make sure that it's compatible with this campus," Jarrett said. "That's something that's vitally important to us."
He added that there are some pluses to the addition of an 800- to 1,000-seat venue, which could be used for graduations, possibly classrooms and many other things that could be useful for the college.
"We're not in the habit of giving away land," he noted.
WCC President Dr. Kay Albertson pointed out that there have not been any renderings of what the buildings would look like, but said that she had shared the concerns.
"The very first thing I said to them, I'm in total support of the emphasis on keeping the integrity of this whole area," she said. "It's a beautiful area. This campus is a beautiful campus."
"I have spoken with commissioners and (County Manager George) Wood. They feel very strongly about what they're going to do on this $14 million project. That's a lot for a 58,000-square-foot facility."
She assured the board it would be a "building of integrity."
"(The commissioners) believe in the beauty of this area, what it can do for Wayne County and what it can attract."
Mrs. Albertson said that from the conversation with Wood, she and Don Magoon, chief of administrative services, got the impression that the project might not require the entire six-acre sacrifice.
Magoon explained that a portion of it would be used for a retaining pond, which he suggested could be on the east side of the entrance road.
"If that works, that six acres could be four and maybe a little less than that."
Board member Andy Evans said he has appreciated the intended project that will "showcase agriculture" in this county.
"Finally we've got a city/county joint venture to have this facility," he said. "You don't have to worry about their commitment. They're not going to put anything shabby up."
Board member Debbie Worley told the board she had been appointed by the commission to be part of an advisory council for the agricultural center. To avoid any potential conflict of interest, she refrained from voting.
Other projects include a greenway land transfer, providing easement to the county.
"That little strip of land is not real useful to the college because it's kind of swampy," Board Chairman Chris Martin said. "It's not going to be used for anything, and will be a benefit to the citizens of the area."
Located on the east side of the campus, it is often used as part of a walking trail, Mrs. Albertson said.
The other item was an easement to extend the bike path/greenway along the south side of New Hope Road to connect with the existing sidewalk at Wayne Memorial Drive. The path would also connect to the bike path that runs from the YMCA along Harding Drive.
That path would now be continued west to the WCC property and the easement would allow its completion to Wayne Memorial Drive.
It is now subject to an official completed survey plat and approval by the State Board of Community Colleges, Jarrett said.