The Search for a Modular School Site in the Wakefield Area
In the fall, Wake County Public School System staff contacted Billy Sutton, with Wakefield developers, to determine if there were 5-6 acres of land available in the Wakefield community for a modular elementary school. Sutton indicated that there was only one location in the entire development that could be made available.
Together, on Oct. 12, 2004, they visited the Queensland Road site and looked at several other properties in the area as well. For various reasons, summarized below, the sites are not suitable for a school or are not available.
Queensland Road Property, Behind the Food Lion
- 5-6 acres between two high voltage transmission lines of 500,000 volts and 230,000 volts (WCPSS tries to stay at least 400 feet away from major power lines for health and safety reasons.)
- Triangular tract of land with little road frontage - is not wide enough for a modular school, small play field, 58 parking spaces, and traffic circulation
- Elevation issues
- Large wetlands area at the bottom of the site
- Completely wooded - extensive land clearing and site development costs
- Cost to extend water/sewer
- Design firm and staff estimate it would cost approximately $600,000 more than the DuBois Center to clear, grade and prepare the site
- There was no offer of free land prior to Monday, Jan. 24, 2005.
- After the Jan. 24 offer, staff looked at the property again and for the above reasons, continues to deem the site unsuitable.
Other Properties
WCPSS also investigated the following properties:
Common Oaks Drive
- Wakefield developer offered use of 10 acres for two years without charging for the lease
- WCPSS would be responsible for site grading and preparation, estimated to cost more than $600,000 and exceeding the total cost of the DuBois Center lease and development.
- Developer couldn't ensure property would be ready in time for the opening of school in August
Bedford Community on Falls of Neuse Road
- No property available for a modular or permanent school
3 Tracts of Land Fronting Falls of Neuse Road at the Entrance to Bedford
- 2-, 3- and 8-acre tracts
- WCPSS contacted each property owner by mail and later discussed possible purchase of these three tracts.
- Purchase price ranged from approximately $200,000 to $430,000 an acre
- These property owners later decided not to sell the property, but to develop the site for a commercial shopping center.
Smith Property on Northwestern Side of Falls of Neuse, Near Durant Road
- Majority of the property is in the Falls Lake watershed
- Utilities are not available to the property