Robinson Career Center construction advances; county to share cost of added wing, solar system still under review

Robinson Career Center construction is progressing, with contractors reporting exterior framing, steel, and slabs in place and interior rough‑ins under way, presenters told the Public Schools of Robeson County Construction & Finance Committee.

The district’s MetCon contractor and SFLA Architects presented a drone video and floor plans showing the project split into base areas A, B and C and a later addition called Area D. “I’m TJ Gaines. I’m project manager with MetCon,” said TJ Gaines, who reviewed recent site work and a drone video showing steel, slab on grade and block walls. Michael Holborn, project manager with SFLA Architects, walked the board through floor plans and renderings, including classrooms, shops, a culinary area and a 40‑foot planetarium dome.

The committee was told Area D is a roughly $15,000,000 section added onto the base building; presenters said the county will provide $7.5 million and the district will provide the other $7.5 million. Committee discussion indicated the district expects to repay its share with annual payments; staff stated a $500,000 annual repayment figure would be returned to the board for formal approval once county loan terms are provided in writing and the county completes its 2023–24 audit.

Why it matters: the Robinson Career…