Cape Charles Town Council to Approve Ordinance for Sale of Library

At the next Regular Meeting, the Cape Charles Town Council will review a new ordinance relative to the sale of the town library. The meeting and public hearing is scheduled for April 18, 2024.

Earlier in the fiscal year, the Town of Cape Charles issued a Request for Proposals for the sale and redevelopment of tax parcels 83A3-1-643A, 643B, and 642B, commonly known as the library properties. The proposed redevelopment aimed to include the build-out of the third floor and front mezzanine while preserving the first floor and rear mezzanine for the Cape Charles Memorial Library.

Among the four proposals received, Gammino Realty and Development, LLC (GRD), operating as City & Guilds, LLC, emerged as the most promising contender. Following deliberations at the regular meeting held on September 21, 2023, the Town Council approved proceeding with GRD’s proposal.

Subsequent discussions between town officials and GRD led to refinements in the proposal, which now encompassed plans for a condominium comprising one residential and one library unit. The redevelopment scheme would involve the rehabilitation of the building’s exterior, conversion of the third floor and front mezzanine into residential space, renovation of the library area, and associated site improvements. The proposed redevelopment entity, Cape Charles Ventures IV, would oversee the project.

Under the terms outlined, the library properties were set to be sold for $600,000, with the library condominium unit priced at $450,000 and an additional $230,000 allocated for the renovation of the library space. The proposed ordinance, attached for consideration, sought authorization for finalizing the Purchase and Sales Agreement (PSA) and facilitating the sale.

According to estimates, execution of the PSA and the closing on the sale were anticipated to take place in June. Simultaneously, renovation work on the library space would commence alongside the build-out of the residential areas, or independently if delays were encountered.

Per the Code of Virginia, Sec. 15.2-1800, localities are empowered to sell their real property, subject to a public hearing. As mandated by law, a public hearing was conducted to address concerns regarding the disposal of the library properties.

Further adherence to Sec. 15.2-2100 requires the sale of public places to be formalized through an ordinance, necessitating a recorded affirmative vote of three-fourths of all elected council members. The proposed ordinance, provided as an attachment, aimed to facilitate the sale of the property to Cape Charles Ventures IV, marking a significant step toward the realization of the redevelopment vision for the Cape Charles Memorial Library.