Committee moves forward on due diligence for rural LaBeco library site

Beaufort County’s Public Facilities Committee reviewed staff due diligence on a roughly 4-acre site that includes a small existing library and an adjacent, largely unused school building. Audra, the staff presenter, said the school district owns the property and that the county found long-term lease arrangements with Beaufort Jasper EOC that would need to be addressed if the county pursued acquisition or renovation.

Audra said renovation costs could be steep: “we're looking at $300 to $500 per square foot,” and staff and an outside estimator later gave a conceptual project estimate of about $5,000,000 for a full renovation or new construction option. The committee discussed asbestos risks, the condition of the roof and mechanical systems, and whether the building’s historical-eligibility would limit demolition options. A staff member noted there is a single septic serving both structures and that Beaufort Jasper EOC currently uses part of the property for storage under a long-running agreement.

Members pressed staff to gather usage numbers from the library board and to seek school-district input on whether the district would convey title or allow an expansion on the parking-lot side. Committee members asked staff to explore grant possibilities, including CDBG or historic-preservation funding. The committee asked staff to return with library-board feedback and counsel’s guidance ahead of the committee’s November meetings.