Housing project proceeds amid grant delay; commissioners raise concerns about annex building and asbestos costs

County Manager April Snead briefed the Scotland County Board of Commissioners on March 9 about the I Johnson housing project coordinated with SCAP and the grants that underpin it. Snead said the project depends on two grants: a phase-2 NCORE award she reported as $9,600,000 has been approved, while the smaller SHARP grant for phase 1 (ten units) has not yet been approved, creating timing and reimbursement uncertainty.

Snead said SCAP intends to pursue development on the approximately 11-acre parcel associated with phase 2 and is deferring action on the annex building for now. Commissioners and staff discussed the annex’s condition and the likely need for asbestos abatement and other code upgrades if the county or a developer were to refurbish the structure. "I will absolutely not put Scotland County on the hook for grant money that has to be paid back," Snead said, describing the county’s intent to avoid contingent liabilities if grant reimbursement conditions change.

Commissioners expressed concern that leaving the annex vacant could create an attractive nuisance and urged the county to consider grant options, demolition or other reuse strategies rather than allow the building to remain deteriorated. Staff said they are having the land surveyed and will monitor grant approvals and developer plans; no formal decision about the annex was made at the meeting.

Next steps described by the county manager include finishing the land survey, watching the SHARP grant approval status, and coordinating with SCAP and the project’s developers. Commissioners asked staff to look for potential funding avenues and to report back as the grant picture clarifies.