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Former Bethel School <br />Background <br />Ownership of the former Bethel School was transferred to the Board of Commissioners <br />by the Cabarrus County Board of Education in 2007. In 2004 a real estate appraisal <br />commissioned by the school system valued the former Bethel School site and buildings at <br />$1,648,400. Since then, architectural, programming and engineering studies have been <br />performed. These studies indicate several possible uses of some of the buildings on the <br />former Bethel School campus, with an estimated renovation cost of $3,581,140 to <br />$3,981,890. <br />The programming study focused mostly on possible governmental uses of the property by <br />the county and the town of Midland, despite the absence of plans for satellite county <br />services in that area of the county and the very low demand there. It is certainly true that <br />county satellite offices in Midland would be convenient for residents of that area, <br />however, the relatively sparse population makes it difficult to justify the expense. <br />It should be noted that the programming study included a branch library, and while there <br />are currently no definitive plans for a Midland branch, it has been the practice of the <br />board to equip, staff and operate library branches that are funded and constructed by <br />towns. <br />There is sentiment among some residents of southern Cabarrus County to raise money to <br />renovate the buildings for government and community use. <br />Recommendation <br />Given the considerations above and the escalating fiscal demands placed on the county <br />by continual school enrollment increases, the following recommendations are offered: <br />A. Sel] the site and use the proceeds for school capital needs. <br />OR <br />B. Lease the site to the town of Midland with the following conditions: <br />1. $1 per year. <br />2. Term of 10 to 20 years with additional renewal options. <br />3. Annual fund raising benchmarks of $1 million per year. If the benchmarks are not <br />achieved, then the site is offered for sale with proceeds used for school capital <br />needs. <br />4. The town must secure the buildings and repair the roofs within 8 months. <br />Renovations must begin within 18 months. Failure to meet these requirements <br />G-5 <br />