County signs off on school offices plan

Paul B. Johnson, The High Point Enterprise, N.C.
·1 min read

Mar. 22—GUILFORD COUNTY — The Guilford County Board of Commissioners approved a school system plan to consolidate administrative jobs at its central office and four other older buildings to a corporate office building near Friendly Center in Greensboro.

The commissioners voted unanimously Thursday night to support the purchase a 144,000-square-foot building, the former corporate headquarters for Lorillard Tobacco Co., in the Green Valley Office Park from ITG Brands for $9.5 million, about half the assessed value of just under $19 million. They also approved spending up to $1.5 million for any needed renovations or upfits.

Guilford County Board of Commissioners Chairman Skip Alston, a longtime local Realtor, said the school district is getting a good deal on a top-shelf property.

Guilford County Schools issued a statement thanking the commissioners for acting quickly on the school district request.

School system leaders say that they intend to move in during the 2024-25 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The building "is nearly move-in ready, with only minor upfitting needs," school district officials say.

GCS plans to then sell its central office on Eugene Street and the other properties on Washington Street, Market Street and Prescott Street in Greensboro and in the Laughlin Professional Development Center on Summerfield Road in Summerfield.

pjohnson@hpenews.com — 336-888-3528 — @HPEpaul