Supervisors ask staff for concepts and community input on Lower Massey Park community center before authorizing design funding

The Board discussed options for building a community center at Lower Massey Park, with staff reminding supervisors that the deed of gift requires construction of a community center within five years or the property could revert to the prior owner.

County staff outlined the work needed to make the project bid‑ready — site design, VDOT coordination, geotechnical and stormwater plans, building design and project manuals — and estimated $225,000 would be needed if the county were to retain an architect and complete design work to prepare a bid package. Staff also offered a rough long‑range ballpark: a 75,000–100,000 square‑foot facility with full build‑out costs that could be in the multi‑million‑dollar range, and noted that those estimates would vary widely depending on size and program (a gym would add significant cost).

Board members said they were concerned about “scope creep” and wanted a phased approach tied to the county’s budget priorities. Several supervisors recalled the footprint and uses of the previous building on the site (a large meeting room/auditorium and kitchen used for civic events and polling), and asked staff to assemble conceptual floor plans and three or four design options for a smaller initial phase (a primary meeting room, warming kitchen, restrooms, storage and limited office space) and for larger build options.

Direction from the board: staff was asked to prepare a set of conceptual plans and cost ranges, and to schedule a separate meeting with community leaders from Dawn and other stakeholders to gather programmatic input. Several supervisors said the board should identify priorities in the capital improvements plan and consider phasing the project rather than immediately funding a full architectural contract.

Why it matters: the property was deeded with a time‑limited condition requiring construction of a community facility; the board must balance community expectations, fiscally prudent phasing and the deed deadline. Staff said the deed was executed in June (date provided in presentation) and that roughly three and a half years remain on the five‑year period, so prompt action is needed to meet the deed condition if the county intends to retain the site.

Next steps: staff to provide three or four conceptual diagrams with rough costs, circulate meeting dates to convene community stakeholders, and return with an estimate and schedule for any architectural procurement the board ultimately authorizes.