Chuck Hughes, Board of Education
♦Why build a Central Office Building on bad ground at 329 S. Main, at Isenberg, the decaying Salisbury mall or anywhere else? Why not keep it in East Spencer?
Agreeing with those who find the old, yet historic building on Long Street less than ideal for a functional government building, my suggestion would be to build the new Central Office on the three to four acres behind the Long Street building. The County owns this property.
If the Central Office Building was considered to be critical to the prosperity of downtown Salisbury, Economic Justice would dictate the same consideration be given to East Spencer. Certainly would it not contribute as much, if not more, to East Spencer’s economic development as it would to downtown Salisbury’s. Besides, many in East Spencer have strong ties to the Long Street building and its history. I believe it was one of the first black schools in the area.
The arguments about health risks due to mold in the Long Street office building, were dismissed by the EMSL Air Quality Inspection on 6/14/2010. This inspection identified various species of mold, most of which were attributed to common molds on animals and vegetation. Toxic Black Mold (Stachybotrys species) was found. The recommended remedy was: “clean and disinfect the window areas.” Simple enough and certainly an inexpensive and efficient remedy.
The structural issues noted by Interface for Consulting Engineers (ICES) on 12/27/2007 focused on the floors and the balcony. The balcony was stressed because of its inappropriate use for heavy storage despite being built just for passage. The floors were stressed in part by the concentration of heavy loads. In conclusion, ICES considered the building to be compromised for use as an office and storage facility. That, however, would not rule out other uses, especially if historical building grant money came to its aid. And as a historical building, many grants would be available to preserve the historical Long Street building. After sandblasting the structure, sealing it and repairing the structural problems with the flooring, it could be used for Title I purposes and continue to service the citizens of East Spencer through preservation and restoration of both their history and their future.
Economic justice for East Spencer now!
