The Town of Cape Charles is weighing a proposal to purchase and retrofit the former Meatland grocery store as its new town hall—a plan that proponents say would breathe new life into a long-vacant building. However, the plan to purchase property and build new across from the historic Rosenwald School area appears to be losing momentum. The size and extensive design fees already incurred by the architect threaten to make the project unfeasible.
At recent work and executive sessions held behind closed doors, council members have discussed converting the brick-and-mortar structure on Randolph Avenue into municipal offices and meeting space. Town Manager John Hozey told councilors that protracted delays could imperil the purchase agreement.
Yet Councilman Grossman argues that a project of this magnitude demands broad public input before a binding vote. Grossman is calling for open‐house style sessions to gather residents’ feedback on design, accessibility, and cost.
Supporters of adaptive reuse point to numerous examples, such as the conversion of the old banks on Mason Avenue into Kelly’s (now O&E) pub and the current town library. Repurposed structures can save taxpayer dollars, reduce waste, and reinforce community and historic identity. But critics note that the Meatland building was never designed for civic use and that its footprint may require a costly expansion.
Some longtime residents recall that Cape Charles once owned a more suitable candidate: the old high school that fronted School Park (now Central Park). That larger brick building offered ample space and a central location, but the town sold it to a private developer for just one dollar. It has since been renovated into luxury apartments.
Other options for the new town hall are apparently dropping out of the sky. The Cape Charles Methodist Church has contacted the town about selling its property. The town continues to review other real land purchases, as well as property it currently owns.
As the deadline for the Meatland deal approaches, council members must choose between moving ahead swiftly—risking public frustration—or opening the floor to residents and potentially seeing the opportunity slip away.
I don’t believe now is a good time for the town to be purchasing ANYTHING. Especially with certa8n comments being made by council members, and more importantly the embezzlement accusations by certain town employees(s). Also it would be Trinity United Methodist Church, Not Cape Charles Methodist Church. (Just saying try not to put the Cape Chales name in things that they don’t own, else they will claim they own it). The Church themselves don’t have the right to sell that property. But perhaps someone should call the superintendent of virginia methodist churches to find out who.
Agree with your comments about Trinity UMC. It is NOT being sold – see my comment below.
Meat land would be the perfect location since it’s right as folks enter town .
Maybe room for a tourist office ?
They already have a tourist office right across the street. But it’s not like anyone’s ever there. So no it doesn’t need to be a tourist office? Besides what is there to tour in the town?
Trinity UMC is NOT closing and is NOT for sale. We are looking at alternate uses for a large church building which is not being used most of the time. No matter the alternate use, Trinity will continue to have services in the building and community functions such as AA and the Polling Place would continue in shared spaces. One of those uses could potentially be office space for the Town of Cape Charles, and this has been discussed with the Town. No decisions have been made at all, but the dialog is ongoing.
As the Lay Leader of Trinity but also a full time resident of the Cape Charles Historic District, while Trinity would not be the perfect solution for the town spaces, it would be certainly cheaper and quicker than erecting a building, and especially cheaper than purchasing the Meatland property and demolishing the existing building.
Editor’s Note: Thank you for the clarification. The Town Council and Town Manager comments at the last meeting were the first most of us heard about TM’s involvement. Good information, thanks again.
The town already owns the property by the Rosenwald School and a building has been designed for that site. They would have to buy the Meatland property, demolish the building, and make adjustments to the plans made for the site near Rosenwald school. Jim already clarified the Trinity UMC option. The fourth option is to locate it on the seven lots, owned by the town, between Eastern Shore golf carts and Fig Street. If you watch the video of the last Town Council, Andy Buchholz references a fifth, undisclosed option, that he discussed with the Town Manager. No explanation has been given by Town Manager as to why the original plan to build out by Rosenwald School, on property the town owns, is being abandoned, in favor of a more expensive option.
Town Councilman Andy Buckholz referenced something not disclosed?
You don’t say?
The town council can not see pass their nose to the future needs of the town.
The old high school was perfect. And everyone knew it except the town council.
Yet they repaired a wall in the school after the potential buyer complained. The cost of that wall … $40,000! The cost to buy the school $10.00!
Now the town council want the town’s people’s input. Why? They’re not going to listen. It’s the same with the master beach plan and STRs.
Spent spent spent. When will it stop?
The word on the street is the town is corrupt. Spending other people’s money is fun when it is not yours. Keep raising taxes for that pipe dream. Tourist will still go to VB, Ocean City and Nags Head.
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