May 25, 2013
A historic school building saved from demolition back in September is being renovated as a community center for kids, but it still has one more hurdle to go.
The Third Street School was built in 1929 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The Pitt County School Board voted to demolish the school after it closed in May of 2010, but three months ago Dr. Richard Rizzuti and his wife Meredith purchased the property for $290,000 and have been working with a nonprofit organization to turn the building into a community center. Before that can happen, Greenville City Council will have to address a rezoning option first.
"The plan is to rezone it to commercial fringe which will allow the good folks there to engage in the various programs that they have planned," said Greenville City Councilman Calvin Mercer.
The total cost of refurbishing the building will be an estimated $500,000. Organizers with the Strive program say they expect to have their end of the building ready and hold classes by January first.
