Prince Edward animal shelter plans move forward

Plans for a new animal shelter in Prince Edward County are moving forward. Now we have a price tag, as to how much it’ll cost to design. Now let’s be clear. We’re talking about the design and plan costs here, not the actual construction itself. Once the plans are approved, then the actual project can go out to bid, so we’re still looking at a while before that happens. During their Tuesday, July 9 meeting, Prince Edward supervisors heard from Assistant County Administrator Sarah Puckett on the project.

Puckett said she, County Administrator Doug Stanley and animal control staff spent almost a full day with workers from Moseley Architects, working through the feasibility and design process, talking about the community’s needs and the demand for, and current lack thereof, for shelter space. As a refresher, the proposed site for the new shelter is a 9-acre parcel of land owned by the Prince Edward County Industrial Development Authority, located between the Social Security building and FACES on Commerce Drive.

Stanley added that the location was chosen because it was a bit easier to get to, as opposed to the current shelter, located at 255 County Shop Road in Farmville.

“It’s closer to town,” Stanley told the board. “Right now, we’re kinda tucked away. We’re not very inviting for people to come look at animals to adopt. With (this new site), you’re close to the schools, you’re close to the Y.”

Another benefit is that the county already owns the property, so there’s no cost in acquiring it to be the new shelter. It’s also already connected with public water and sewer, so that also saves the county some money. To do the design work over the next few months and reinvent that building, Moseley Architects said it’ll cost $37,352. And yes, this is the same group, Moseley Architects, that’s been working with Prince Edward County on the elementary school renovation.

Taking steps with caution

Supervisors approved the contract with Moseley and the group will now start working on site plans. That includes a boundary, topographical and utility survey of the site, as well as checking the condition of underground utilities and doing a preliminary wetland assessment, to make sure there’s nothing in violation of state law.

But one thing some county supervisors wanted to remind staff is that there’s limited funding, with all the other projects going on, especially the school. So they asked that staff not look at too many ‘bells and whistles’ when working on the design.

“I would request that properties committee and staff prioritize doing this economically,” said Supervisor Harrison Jones. “Because we have so many capital improvement projects that we’re trying to manage right now, one of which with the biggest price tag is the elementary school. I would hate for us to be tight on money for that project by trying to go overboard with this one.”

Puckett said that was a key part of the discussion with architects, when it came to discussing what would be on the ‘wishlist’ for the shelter. Basically, what can the county afford and what’s needed, versus what’s wanted.

She also pointed out that the project itself will go through several drafts before even reaching the planning commission. And likely, it’ll go through a couple versions at that point as well before coming back to supervisors for a vote.

Moseley officials in the proposal estimate that it’ll take about eight weeks to complete their work. That would put it in September or October before a design comes back for discussion.

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