By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — In addition to seeing the 1909 East redevelopment project get off the ground, the town board has plans to re-adopt a small area plan for the areas surrounding the former school administration building that have deteriorated over the years. The plan would address how the town has worked to enhance the area within half a mile of the building.

The board will discuss the redevelopment project at its meeting today at 6:30 p.m. at town hall, 105 S. Long St.

The town is looking to use the building, which is located at 110 S. Long St., across from town hall, as senior housing. The town planning department gave rankings to the residential properties within the town that resulted in 224 standard structures, which accounts for 63 percent of the properties; 103 deteriorated or 29 percent; and 30 dilapidated or 8 percent of the properties.

In this case, those structures that are deteriorated are those that can be repaired with some expense and those dilapidated ones are those that are beyond reasonable repair.

The board will also:

• Discuss an upcoming public hearing regarding the annexation of 5 parcels of land that were given to the town from Fisher Realty. Three of those parcels are located within the town limits while the other two are contiguous to the town limits.

The law says the town can annex property owned by the municipality through the adoption of a resolution stating its intent to annex the property. But the town has to hold a public hearing.

The public hearing is set for Feb. 5.

• Discuss the waiving of tap fees for the 1909 East Project, which is the former Rowan-Salisbury Schools Administration Building. The town will provide a Phase I and Phase II inspection and plan for the building through its Brownfields Grant, if there is a need during this project. In Phase II there may be a need to remove underground storage tanks and inspect the soil if tanks are found.

The property is expected to be listed later this month on the national historic registry.

• Close the street on Jan. 15 from noon to 2 p.m. for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. The closure will include Long Street at Southern City Church and 207 John L. Rustin Sr. Lane.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.