Prince George County to advertise lease renewals at Central Wellness Center

The Prince George County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize advertising public hearings for three lease renewals at the Central Wellness Center.

Staff presented three separate requests for public notice: the Women’s Club of Prince George (about 634 square feet), St. James Lodge No. 128 (about 633 square feet) and the Prince George County Churches Outreach food bank (about 1,379 square feet). Staff said the county’s 2022 community use facilities policy established a new lease rate of $3 per square foot that will apply to renewals; based on those figures the estimated annual fees are roughly $1,902, $1,899 and $4,137 respectively.

Rob Lineberger, manager of animal control services, was not involved in the leases but later addressed an adoption promotion; board presenter Kingsbury explained that the advertised public hearings are required under county code and said the tenants have expressed interest in renewal. The board authorized advertisement for public hearings on March 24 (Women’s Club and St. James Lodge) and a hearing for the food‑bank tenant on March 30/31 as listed on the agenda.

During public comment, Connie Leonard told the board the lease‑renewal process is “broken,” saying original leaseholders were not made aware of the 2022 policy and that some organizations received three business days’ notice to declare intent to renew. Leonard asked the board to consider “some financial relief” for impacted nonprofits.

The board approved the advertising motions by roll call (members recorded as voting yes included Philip Pugh, Hamill, Ford Pugh, Webb and Cox). The authorization begins the statutory public‑hearing process; any final lease terms and rents will be set following the advertised hearings and any required board action.

The hearings are scheduled on the board calendar; staff said they will provide the public‑notice materials and the precise lease terms at the public hearings.