New Kent leaders approve purchase of former bank building to become new home for Heritage Public Library

Heritage Public Library will receive a new home in the Maidstone Development in New Kent.

Supervisors approved by a 4-1 vote Wednesday morning authorizing county administrator Rodney Hathaway to execute an agreement to purchase the former Colonial Virginia Bank building for $950,000. District 2 supervisor Tommy Tiller casted the lone dissenting vote.

“The purchasing of this building will not increase taxes on county citizens,” said District 1 representative Thomas Evelyn. “It is in a centralized area and closer to the schools.”

Talks about purchasing the building emerged at the September 2015 work session. There, a proposal to lease the facility was presented to county leaders. For the last eight months supervisors have looked at avenues to purchase the building instead, with the culmination of talks concluding Wednesday morning.

“After the contract is signed, renovations are expected to begin within 45 days and completion should be done within six months,” said District 4 supervisor Ron Stiers.

The agreement comes as pleasant news to Heritage Public Library director Barbara Winters, who was on-hand for the announcement.

“We are thrilled,” she said, referring to the ongoing efforts made by the library’s board of directors and members. “This move is going to position us to move our programs to go vertical and grow.”

One of the major factors for the move was the location of the building. With the Maidstone development located about a quarter-mile away from three of the counties four schools, it seemed to be a logical choice, according to comments made by supervisors and Winters.

“I am glad that (superintendent of schools) Dave Myers was here and said how wonderful it would have us close by,” Winters added. “This location is going to put us in the proximity to offer more programs to the county schools.”

“I see this relocation as not only a win for the library, but for the taxpayers,” Stiers commented. “We will save at least $50,000 a year with the purchase of this building.”