Community Update

Dear Editor,

As
signatures continue to mount for saving Valley Road School and putting the
question on the ballot, a couple of other questions deserve immediate answers.

First, is
there any asbestos in the building? 

NO, according
to the inspection and sampling that Valley Road School-Adaptive Reuse
Committee(VRS-ARC) and the Valley Road School Community Center, Inc. (VRSCCI) commissioned
some time ago, there is NO asbestos in 369 Witherspoon Street.  There IS horsehair in the walls, but NO
asbestos.

Secondly, will
you be looking for municipal funds for the renovations?

NO, we will
be seeking private donations.  In fact,
we will be SAVING taxpayer money that otherwise would be required to demolish
the building, an estimated $350,000-$450,000. 

Thirdly,
where will VRSCCI get the funds?

We have had many
indications of strong interest from members of the community.  We also have had considerable interest by
Valley Road School alumni, many of whom live outside of Princeton.  In addition, we intend to seek support from
the supporters of the nonprofit organizations that become tenants, and we will
also be seeking funds from investor partnerships.  One prospective tenant has already expressed
interest in being an investor partner.  We
are also looking at funds from the Economic Development Authority, which has
recently financed projects for nonprofits similar to ours.  And finally we have plans for exhibits in the
building that illustrate the history that Valley Road School has presided over
and that we think will interest potential donors.

Dan Thompson

Member,
VRS-ARC

Dempsey Ave.