County Taking Bids for Redevelopment of Historic School

ANNAPOLIS, MD-After years of planning, Anne Arundel County authorities have revealed that the $14-million renovation of the former Wiley H. Bates High School into senior residents could get underway in 2003. The 70-year old building, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, has stood empty since it closed in 1981.

Located on a 16-acre parcel of land, the former public school will house 71 senior apartments, a senior center, and an after-school recreation space for the local Boys and Girls Club. There will also be a 4,000 sf gallery, paying homage to the schools history as Annapolis’s only school for blacks during Maryland’s pre-desegregation days. A groundbreaking for the project took place in June 1999 and bricks were laid. Also, $3 million was invested for the removal of asbestos in the building and roof repairs. The county is seeking bids from developers that must be submitted March 4.