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Newton Council approves amendment seeking $5 million to complete Central High School redevelopment
Summary
After a public hearing, the Newton City Council unanimously approved an amendment asking the state for an additional $5,000,000 to expand the Community Development Block Grant-funded Central High School redevelopment, splitting the project into a focused gym renovation (Phase 1) and a larger classroom renovation (Phase 2).
The Newton City Council unanimously approved an amendment asking the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division for an additional $5,000,000 to complete the redevelopment of Central High School.
Ben Willis, Community Development Director with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, told the council the original grant work and funding approval dated to late 2022. He said rising construction costs have narrowed what the current grant can cover, so the city proposes a two-phase approach: Phase 1 restores and upgrades the gymnasium (new roof, HVAC, modern restrooms, entrance vestibule, conversion of storage to a Hall of Fame, ADA accessibility, and site work) and Phase 2 would renovate the adjacent original classroom buildings, including environmental abatement and structural work. Willis said the additional $5,000,000 is needed to finish Phase 2 as envisioned.
Mayor Jerry Hodge opened the public hearing; Peggy Mungro Jeeter said the earlier groundbreaking was “a great experience” and expressed support for completing the project. Council members discussed that the original application showed a city commitment of $625,000; Finance Director Kim Robinson told the council she does not have a matching budget ordinance for that amount.
By motion of Mayor Pro Tem Beverly Danner, seconded by Council Member Bill Powell, the council approved the amendment to change the project scope and formally request the supplemental $5,000,000. The motion passed unanimously.
What this means: the approved amendment changes the project timeline and scope to prioritize the gym rehabilitation while pursuing state supplemental funding for the more costly classroom renovations. The council did not vote on a city budget appropriation to cover any local match or contingencies during this meeting; Robinson noted the $625,000 referenced in the original application is not currently in a budget ordinance. The next steps are administrative: the city will submit the amended scope and funding request to NC Commerce and continue project planning and cost refinement.
Provenance: The council discussion and vote occurred during the community development public hearing and item deliberation (agenda segments presenting the grant background, scope change and the motion to approve the amendment).
