Wake County Schools have initiated two adaptive reuse projects in Wake Forest and Cary. Adaptive reuse is the process of converting a vacant building into a school, and a Winn Dixie and an industrial plant will be ready for students by next year.
As I have discussed elsewhere, adaptive reuse is a smart, cost-effective way to increase capacity. In 1997, Wake converted an industrial plant in Apex into Lufkin Road Middle School. Unfortunately, between 1997 and 2006, they had no adaptive reuse projects. What happened between 1997 and 2006? Wake spent well over $1 billion on school construction courtesy of two large bond issues, COPs, and state money. When the money was flowing in, no need to economize, just supersize.
In the N&O, Mike Burriss, Wake’s assistant superintendent for facilities, said, “It was the right opportunity with the right conditions that came together at the same time.” Yes, it is the right time, Mike. You are trying to show us that you are looking out for the taxpayer. Thanks. But I wonder if this could this have anything to do with November’s bond referendum? No, I am just being too cynical – it is probably just coincidence.
