Jefferson/Elementary East School Study

Clifton Forge, Virginia

Study Overview (September 2023)

The Town of Clifton Forge received a Community Impact Grant from Virginia Housing for a planning study that focuses on community-engaged planning for the Jefferson/Elementary East School. This study aims to prepare a design concept for the school that is supported by the community, to then be shared with local developers/builders.

The Project Team developed an initial design concept based on public feedback we received through an initial stakeholder meeting and a public survey (summary provided below). After a community open house event, we revised the design based on the community feedback, as seen below.

BRIEF BACKGROUND of the school

Proposed Concept: Jefferson School Building

In the proposed concept below, we combined housing, a youth center, and an event center together within the building. The 1952 wing of the school features a youth/multipurpose center, a small kitchen for catered events, a shared workerspace, and two tutoring classrooms - all aimed to provide a space for the community’s youth to spend time, particularly after school. The existing gymnasium will be a flexible space that can be used for sports (basketball, pickleball, etc.) or small events (reunions, open mic nights, etc.). In the basement below the stage, there is space allocated for the Clifton Forge Food Pantry or another small business to operate.

The second floor of the wing, all three floors of the original 1926 school building, and the basement space below the existing stage are proposed as apartments. A total of 17 apartments are proposed in this concept. One apartment is a studio apartment; 13 apartments are one-bedroom (with one ADA unit), and three apartments are two-bedroom units. The smallest apartment is 570 square feet and the largest apartment is 930 square feet. Based on our high-level cost estimate, these apartments would rent for $800 to $1400, depending on size.

(Above) Conceptual floor plans

(Above) Conceptual illustration of an apartment layout in the 1926 School Building

(Above) Conceptual illustration of current gymnasium space utilized as a youth center

(Above) Conceptual illustration of current gymnasium space utilized as an event center

Proposed Concept: SITE

After the open house event, an architect from the Project Team visited the site to assess the modular units in more detail. They determined that the costs to renovate them were substantial. Our revised site concept (below) shows the modular units removed with parking in its place. Thus, parking is immediately adjacent to the building and as shown below, ample lighting is proposed to ensure safety at night.

The other big change proposed is the location of the food pantry building. It was suggested that we explore a concept to show a new construction food pantry building at the corner of the block. In this revised aerial, a 5,000 square foot, single-level facility is proposed to serve as the new location for the Clifton Forge Area Food Pantry.

Phasing Plan

Phasing will be key to the success of the project. Below illustrates a proposed phasing plan.

Next Steps

This project was intended to develop a community-informed design concept for the Jefferson School and site. As such, the Town will share this with interested developers to help illustrate a design concept that the community can get behind. In the coming months, the Town will meet with potential developers to discuss opportunities and partnerships.

Additionally, the Project Team will meet with the Clifton Forge Area Food Pantry to explore possible funding solutions to develop a new facility.