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Board pauses proposed sale of Pickett Park barracks parcel amid concern over federal displacement rules
Summary
The Board of Supervisors declined to proceed with a $700,000 offer from the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation for the roughly 55-acre Pickett Park barracks parcel on March 19, instead tabling the matter for legal review of federal REPI displacement obligations.
The Nottoway County Board of Supervisors on March 19 declined to move forward with a proposed sale of the approximately 55-acre barracks parcel at Military Road and W. Tenth Street after residents raised concerns and Supervisors questioned possible federal displacement obligations tied to REPI funding. Administrator Steve V. Bowen told the Board the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation offered $700,000 for the tax parcel (43-69).
Multiple public commenters opposed the sale. Jed questioned the legal notice and warned that using REPI funds could trigger mandatory relocation assistance; Doc McGhee, a business owner leasing on the parcel since 2011, opposed the sale and noted he had previously offered to buy his leased lot; Rebecca and Delores urged reinvestment in Pickett Park and said residents could be displaced. County Attorney Catherine K. Douglass agreed to research whether federal displacement rules would impose costs on the County and to coordinate with WBWF representatives to clarify obligations.
Supervisor Richard H. Ingram moved to proceed with the sale, and Supervisor Daphne V. Norton seconded, but the motion failed on a recorded voice vote (reported as No, No, Yes, Absent, Yes). Vice Chairman George G. Toth III later moved to reconsider and to table the matter for legal review at the April 9 work session; Supervisor Norton seconded and the motion carried. The Board left the underlying offer and any transfer pending further legal analysis.
Next steps: County Attorney Douglass will research federal displacement requirements associated with REPI-funded transactions and report back at the April worksession so the Board can decide whether to accept the WBWF offer or pursue other options.
