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Residents urge city to preserve Nansemond County Training School site and add a multipurpose community center
Summary
Speakers from the Holland/Holy Neck area asked council to preserve the Nansemond County Training School (Rosenwald) site and to develop a multipurpose community center on city-owned land to serve southwest Suffolk.
Several residents and community leaders addressed City Council during the non-agenda speakers period to urge preservation and reuse of the historic Nansemond County Training School (a Rosenwald-era school building) and to seek development of a multipurpose community center on city-owned land in the Holland/Southwestern Suffolk area.
Speakers included Joaquinia Hill of the Holland Holy Neck Civic League, H. E. Howell (grandson of the original principal) representing the Holley/Collins Civic Association, Garland "Pete" Copeland speaking for the Nansemond County Training School Heritage Center, and Joel Copeland, all of whom outlined the site's historical significance and community needs. Petitioners described the building type as a rare surviving Rosenwald school structure and asked the council to consider preserving it and exploring reuse as a multipurpose community center, not a recreation center, with space for meetings, receptions and a possible emergency shelter.
Pete Copeland said the proposed facility "is not a recreation center" and described it as a multipurpose site that could host meetings, study groups and civic activities and serve as an emergency shelter. Speakers noted the area has seen residential growth in recent years and said the southwestern portion of the city lacks a nearby shelter and community meeting space.
Council members expressed appreciation for the presentations and several (including Council members Johnson and Bennett) voiced support for preserving Rosenwald-era history and pursuing options. No formal action or funding decision was made; speakers asked the council and staff to explore possibilities and next steps.
Why it matters: Preservation of Rosenwald schools is a component of local historic preservation and the requested multipurpose center would provide civic and emergency functions for a growing part of the city.
Speakers left materials for council review and were told staff and council would follow up on possible options for the site.
