Roanoke Rapids and state officials heard positive feedback on the school system’s plans to develop the Patterson Mill site into an athletic complex.

The comments were received during a community forum held at the Roanoke Rapids High School cafeteria this evening.

The school system is currently waiting for the second environmental site assessment to begin before proceeding with the plans. A clean assessment, which appears likely, would allow the school system protection within the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments Communitywide Brownfields program, which the Patterson site was deemed eligible for last year.

The second round of assessments will be made possible through an Upper Coastal Plains grant.

The aim of the Brownfields program, said Joe Gambaccini, an economic development planner with Upper Coastal Plains, is to create economic development by redeveloping sites like the 23.51 acres of the former Patterson mill.

Once the Phase II assessment is completed the school system and state would enter into a Brownfields agreement, which would allow for the redevelopment of the property, said Darin McClure, of Mid-Atlantic Associates, the Phase I and Phase II engineer.

The public listens to the presentations.

Phase II will include 51 soil borings, 35 soil samples and eight monitoring wells. Because Roanoke Rapids is on public water through the sanitary district, groundwater is not an issue.

The Phase II assessment may begin by the end of the month and should be completed by early September or October.

The question of whether the tower left behind from demolition of the mill is something that will be studied, said Doug Miller, director of maintenance and transportation for the school system.

Early samples, Miller said, show traces of chromium, lead and arsenic but should not prevent the eventual development of the athletic facility, which would include a baseball field, football field, track, tennis courts, soccer field, practice field and concessions area.

“The goal is to benefit everybody,” said Sharon Eckard, state Brownfields manager. “This is a historic site and turning it into something to benefit Roanoke Rapids is great.”

Nancy Coley James likes the idea. “I’m thankful you’re going to use that land. I’m thankful for what you’re doing.”

One parent attending the meeting said having a central location would solve logistics problems for parents. “Parents have a tough time getting kids to track and baseball.”