NKBOS approves letter of intent for purchase of old bank building to become home of Heritage Public Library

Heritage Public Library may be getting a new permanent home after action was taken during the Jan. 11 meeting of New Kent’s Board of Supervisors.

Representatives voted 4-1 for approval of a letter of intent to acquire the Colonial Virginia Bank building in the Maidstone Development at a cost of $950,000. Terms and conditions presented are to allow the facility to become a new public library. District 2 representative Tommy Tiller cast the lone dissenting vote.

In a Sept. 30 work session, the option came to the forefront when Maidstone developer John Adamson discussed the matter in closed session. During that meeting, the developer proposed leasing the building for 15 years at a cost of $50,000 per year, similar to what is being paid now for renting the library’s current New Kent branch location on Route 155. Adamson also offered to sell the property after year five or year 10 of that agreement.

But supervisors chose a different route at the Monday meeting, electing to offer to buy the building outright at the near $1 million proposal.

Library officials and board members were on hand for the acceptance, and library director Barbara Winters expressed her delight.

“This is a non-binding letter of intent,” said Winters. “There is a long way to go before a contract can be drafted and a move finalized.

“Nonetheless, this is a big step and I am very pleased and excited,” continued the director. “I’m very eager to see the details worked out.”

The proposed new location for the library provides a centralized area for county schools, as three of the schools would be within walking distance. Advocates for the move have voiced their support through meetings and letters to county leaders.

“The location of the building is key and it has more adequate parking than the current location,” said Kimberly DiLandro in an October 2015 letter to the editor. “It is very visible to the community from Route 249 (New Kent Highway) and it only needs modifications to be done in order to open.

“The Board of Supervisors should be looking at the win-win that this will be for the county,” she continued. “This is not just a one-sided discussion. The library needs to also come up with fundraising to have some stake in that location.”

Supervisors will continue ongoing discussions about the library in future meetings.