TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Janai Bowens, City Manager's Department
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: March 27th, 2025
Title
HISTORIC CARVER CONSIDERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
The City Commission is asked to discuss and recommend actions to support the next phase of programming and coordinated planning for the Historic Carver High School/ Delray Full Service Center campus.
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Background:
The School District of Palm Beach County has proposed a campus revitalization plan for Historic Carver High School, also known as Delray Full Service Center as a part of the Interlocal Agreement for Coordinated Planning.Since 2018, the School District of Palm Beach County, The City of Delray Beach, and local community leaders have participated in engagements regarding historic preservation of the Historic Delray Buildings, campus design and future programming.
In February 2019 the Florida Department of State's Division of Historical Resources drafted a document delineating Historic Carver High School as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; buildings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 were declared as locally significant contributing resources under the criterion for Education and Ethnic Heritage. Buildings on the campus constructed after 1969 (7, 13, and 14) were not considered to be contributing resources. Because the demolition of these buildings would result in an adverse effect to the property, the School District of Palm Beach County was commissioned by the Division of Historical Resources to work with the Florida Department of Education to develop appropriate measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the adverse effect of demolition.
In May of 2019 the School District presented at the City of Delray Beach City Commission Meeting and proposed to renovate/remodel Building 11 and demolish all other existing buildings. During the meeting, the City of Delray Beach advocated to save Buildings 1, 2 and 12 during the renovation process. In June of 2019, the City of Delray Beach sent a letter to the School District indicating the Delray Beach's Commission’s vote to support the District’s actions if Buildings 1, 2, and 12 (Cafeteria) are not demolished and Building 11 (Gym) is renovated and a new 20,000 SF building is built. In 2021, the School District of Palm Beach County made an offer to the City of Delray Beach to donate buildings 1, 2, and 12 which would deem the city responsible for preservation and renovation.
Today, the School District of Palm Beach County proposes to complete a historically sensitive renovation of Buildings 1 and 12 which are two more of the original 1957/1958 buildings. In response to requests by the community, the School District plans to include a clinic in the first floor of Building 1. There is an existing clinic in Building 1, however, during the planning and design phase of the project it may be determined to renovate or remodel the space.
The school currently offers Home Health Aide, Phlebotomy, and Medical Assistant training, however, it is pursuing expansion to include training to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Additional training, perhaps working in association with Palm Beach State College, may also be made available in the future.
Construction Programs - The school is currently offering pre apprenticeship training in HVAC and Electrical and apprenticeship in HVAC and Electrical. A Career Certificate Program in HVAC will begin in the Fall of 2025.
Integrated Education and Training (IET) - Additional adult education and workforce training will be offered. In addition to expanding to meet the continued needs for ESOL and GED programs, renovation of Buildings 1 and 12 could also training in the fields of:
● Culinary Arts
● Cosmetology
● Automotive (classroom only)
High School Career & Technical Education - As the workforce programs gain accreditation, plans are to make Career Dual Enrollment classes available to high school students from Village Academy and other surrounding high schools.
Timing of Request:
Immediate recommendations are necessary before the next phase of renovation.