Wendell outlines $9.6 million plan to renovate historic Carver School into community center

Town staff updated the Wendell Board of Commissioners on plans to renovate the historic Carver School into the Carver Center at Pleasant Grove, a multipurpose community facility funded with a mix of federal, county and local sources.

The project matters to residents because it reuses a long‑standing community site and delivers space for a food pantry, micro‑school, offices for community groups and a multipurpose assembly area. Town staff said the total project budget is roughly $9.6 million and construction is expected to begin in September or October 2025.

Town staff told commissioners the Carver School site, which served the Pleasant Grove community as a Rosenwald and later Carver School, has been the subject of planning conversations with the town since about 2018. The church purchased the property in the 2007–08 timeframe; redevelopment planning advanced in 2022–23, staff said. Consultants named on the project include Andre Johnson Architects, Withers Ravenel and environmental consultant GeoSyntec. Southway Builders is listed as the contractor expected to perform the renovation.

Funding for the project includes a $2 million HUD appropriation secured through Congresswoman Deborah Ross, $1 million from Wake County social equity funds, about $600,000 of town funds already used for design and engineering, and $6.6 million in town bond funds approved by voters in 2023, staff said. The town has also used approximately $105,000 of an EPA brownfields assessment grant and said it continues to seek additional funds.

Staff said the town has filed a Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and a Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds as part of HUD’s environmental review. The 15‑day public comment period was under way and scheduled to close on Aug. 17; staff said the town anticipates HUD’s release of funds and a project kickoff in September or October 2025. Construction was estimated at about an 18‑month duration.

The plan presented to the board envisions renovating the primary Carver building to include a half‑gymnasium, restrooms, a multipurpose room with a stage that can be subdivided, and offices and small business space on the east side. The site plan also includes adjusted parking, a commercial kitchen and landscaping with stormwater improvements. Staff emphasized current onsite uses — a micro‑school, after‑school and summer youth programs, a food pantry, and community space — and said design preserves those functions while adding new community facilities.

Commissioners asked staff questions about partners and timing; staff indicated the project team and community partners have participated in the design process. Staff offered to field follow‑up questions as details of the HUD review and construction schedule are finalized.

If HUD issues its release as anticipated, construction could begin in fall 2025 and run roughly 18 months with Southway Builders as the general contractor. Further funding and design refinements remain subject to ongoing work by town staff and project partners.