This evening city council took the first step in that process by approving the resolution of intent to close Barrett Street from Park Avenue to Virginia Avenue.

The request for the resolution comes from the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District, Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky noted in a memo to council.

The eventual closure, which involves a 60-foot-wide right of way extending 710 feet from Park to Virginia, would make Barrett a private road.

The process also calls for a public hearing which is scheduled for the September 1 city council meeting. Meetings are held at 5:15 p.m. in the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street.

In a memo from Lasky to City Manager Joseph Scherer contained in this evening's agenda packet, the planning director writes, “City staff have determined that no individual property owner abutting the right of way will be deprived of ingress or egress as a result of the closing of the Barrett Street right of way.”

The three properties abutting the right of way, the memo notes, are Manning Elementary, the vacant Winn-Dixie shopping center and Hale Plumbing. “Any proposed development of these sites would be subject to compliance with the city of Roanoke Rapids Land Use Ordinance.”

In a July 20 letter from Robbie Clements, director of facilities and operations for the school system, to Lasky, Clements writes, “The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District is requesting city council to initiate procedures for a permanent closure of Barrett Street and the removal of all city owned rights of way and easements along Barrett Street.”

Clements notes, “The land would then be transferred to the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Education. The district plans to start construction of a new Manning Elementary School as soon as possible.”

Councilwoman Carol Cowen said she was concerned if the closure is ultimately approved whether it would impact places for teachers and staff to park.

Lasky told her it would not, that it would become a private street.

Council's initial consideration of the Barrett Street closure becomes the second action a government body has taken this week regarding the impending construction of a new Manning school.

Monday Halifax County Commissioners approved a design fee ordinance for the project.