After the Trump administration shuttered Charlottesville’s Federal Executive Institute earlier this year, Charlottesville City Schools and the University of Virginia are competing to acquire the property.
The 14-acre site, formerly used as a leadership training center for federal employees, shut down following a February 10 executive order. In mid-March, schools learned that, through the Federal Real Property Assistance Program, the FEI was available for purchase by an educational institution in the city.
UVA submitted a formal expression of interest on April 21—the Board of Visitors will vote whether to approve the bid in an April 29 special meeting. The meeting agenda did not include UVA’s specific plans for the facility, but noted that no construction or renovation to buildings was expected. UVA estimated a cost of $1.85 million in one-time funds to bring the entire property into good condition, along with approximately $1.9 million annually for ongoing maintenance.
CCS, which announced its bid April 23, plans to convert the property into a preschool and other division administration offices. Leaders say the move would free up existing CCS sites to expand alternative-education and special-needs programming.
“This single opportunity offers a cost-effective way to impact young people in Charlottesville from age 3 through graduation,” Superintendent Dr. Royal Gurley wrote in a press release. “From our preschool to a family welcome center to alternative learning programs, this acquisition would allow us to make powerful changes on an accelerated timeline.”
Local organization Livable Cville added its voice to the debate, emailing the BOV a request to vote against the FEI acquisition and instead endorse the CCS bid.
“Our main point is [that] UVA should facilitate the city [school’s’] use of the property rather than competing with the city for scarce resources,” the group wrote in an Instagram post.
At press time, the board has yet to meet for the FEI vote. Visit c-ville.com for updates.
The Federal Executive Institute, which was shut down by an executive order in February, was opened in 1968. File photo.
