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WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?
HOCKESSIN COMMUNITY CENTER
THE DETAILS
The Hockessin Community Center owes Petrucon Construction about $213,000 on a two-year-old construction debt. Petrucon was hired to renovate the center but stopped in July 2009 when money ran out.
The Community Center, located on Millcreek Road, is a significant piece of Delaware history. The five-acre property houses School 107C, once a one-room schoolhouse where all of the area’s African-American children were once educated. The school played an important role in the Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, which discontinued segregation in public education.
THE PROGRESS
Attorney Joshua Martin is credited with rescuing the building from the auction block by engaging in negotiations with the construction company. Martin, who is currently an attorney with the firm Potter, Anderson and Corroon, was a Superior Court judge from 1982-89 and retired president of Verizon in Delaware. Martin said that the construction company has been very cooperative and has given the center another 90 days to pay off the debt. Martin said he has been donating his services since he heard about the property’s difficulties around Labor Day.
“We are hoping to interest people in order to make contributions,” Martin said, who said that with the media coverage, there has already been a great deal of public interest in saving the center.
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Wonder what is going on |
“We are going to utilize every available resource,” Martin said, who said his interest in the property lies in its historic significance.
Following the announcement, The African American Empowerment Fund of Delaware and Martin, along with retired Judge Leonard Williams, launched a campaign to raise approximately $210,000 by March 31.
In a related move, the board of the AAEFD agreed this weekend to provide a 12-month loan to the Hockessin Community Center. The award is not to exceed $100,000 and is contingent upon the center’s ability to raise the remaining funds.
WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?
HOCKESSIN COMMUNITY CENTER
THE DETAILS
The Hockessin Community Center owes Petrucon Construction about $213,000 on a two-year-old construction debt. Petrucon was hired to renovate the center but stopped in July 2009 when money ran out.
The Community Center, located on Millcreek Road, is a significant piece of Delaware history. The five-acre property houses School 107C, once a one-room schoolhouse where all of the area’s African-American children were once educated. The school played an important role in the Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, which discontinued segregation in public education.
THE PROGRESS
Attorney Joshua Martin is credited with rescuing the building from the auction block by engaging in negotiations with the construction company. Martin, who is currently an attorney with the firm Potter, Anderson and Corroon, was a Superior Court judge from 1982-89 and retired president of Verizon in Delaware. Martin said that the construction company has been very cooperative and has given the center another 90 days to pay off the debt. Martin said he has been donating his services since he heard about the property’s difficulties around Labor Day.
“We are hoping to interest people in order to make contributions,” Martin said, who said that with the media coverage, there has already been a great deal of public interest in saving the center.
|
Wonder what is going on |
“We are going to utilize every available resource,” Martin said, who said his interest in the property lies in its historic significance.
Following the announcement, The African American Empowerment Fund of Delaware and Martin, along with retired Judge Leonard Williams, launched a campaign to raise approximately $210,000 by March 31.
In a related move, the board of the AAEFD agreed this weekend to provide a 12-month loan to the Hockessin Community Center. The award is not to exceed $100,000 and is contingent upon the center’s ability to raise the remaining funds.
