Williamsburg Community Action Group (WCA) has received a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan from re-use planner StanTec, coordinated through WV Department of Environmental Protection. After receiving the final presentation and report from StanTec at the end of March 2025, WCA took community input on the final report and voted on the path of action for the former school.
WCA has voted to renovate the former campus with the goal of restoring it to its most recent use as a community mixed-use space for events, private commerce and business space for rent or lease, community resource rooms such as IT/tech center and library, and more. Exterior improvements in the concept include pollinator and rain gardens, additional walking trails, dog park, restored sports areas, and more.
WCA is now launching communication and fundraising efforts to generate interest, excitement, and support in the community. WCA plans to first fundraise for and execute structural projects that will halt further damage to the school and remediate problem areas, such as drain repair and groundwater diversion. They hope to progressively repair & renovate areas of the building in a modular fashion to open capacity as it becomes ready and available.
Chairperson of the Revitalization and Economic Development group in Williamsburg, Matt Jarrett, characterized the recent developments as, “Extremely exciting. The school was truly the heart of the community while it was open and for years after it remained a platform that served as a mixed-use addition to our community center. We hope to restore the school and enable greater community, commerce, and convenience for the people of Williamsburg and its surrounding area.”
All persons interested in supporting the Former Williamsburg School Renovation project are invited to attend Williamsburg Community Action Revitalization and Development Committee meetings every second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Williamsburg Community Building. If you have questions or to learn more, please contact WCA on Facebook (WilliamsburgWV) or project lead Matt Jarrett at matt.jarrett@williamsburgwv.com
The Williamsburg Community Action is a community non-profit 501(c)3 that accomplishes advocacy and community organization within Williamsburg to benefit the community. The committee on Revitalization and Economic Development is the WCA’s targeted, focused group to accomplish revitalization to return Williamsburg to its former state, and to develop the local economy to build housing and job capacity.
WCA accepts donations online through https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/300002094 or via mail by check at Williamsburg Community Action, P.O. Box 185, Williamsburg, WV, 24991.
