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Washington-Rochambeau Park coming to town

By Ed Simmons, Jr.

Two construction projects ongoing in Bowling Green are changing the town's look and meeting needs of area businesses and residents.

The first--called the Washington-Rochambeau Park--is the building of a "pedestrian-friendly green space" between the General District and Circuit courthouses, with grass replacing present asphalt, said Director of Caroline Economic Development Gary Wilson.

A part of this project is demolishing the old jail in front of Bethel Baptist Church. Also, Ennis Street, which runs in front of the General District Court, will be closed.

When bids are in and final development plans are set, a date for beginning construction will be announced, said Town Manager Stephen Manster.

The second Bowling Green project, on the western side of Main Street across from the historic Caroline County Courthouse, is the conversion into apartments of two older buildings--a 1955 brick building and the old Lawn Hotel, built in the late 1800's, according to Bowling Green Mayor David Storke.

The apartments will accommodate families visiting their children being treated for eating disorders at Remuda Ranch.

Remuda Ranch is being built 13 miles east of Bowling Green on Sparta Road at the site of the old Easter Seals Camp.

The Remuda project will create approximately 120 jobs, many of them medical personnel, which is good news for housing sales and area retailers, said Wilson.

For the Washington-Rochambeau Park, Wilson--at the request of County Administrator Percy Ashcraft--wrote a grant request to cover costs. The awarded federal grant, to be administered by VDOT, was for $458,000. The county must match a portion of the funds.

Part of the park project is the demolishment of the old jail which stands across and adjacent from Bethel Baptist Church on Ennis Street.

"This will certainly beautify the area," said LaShay Childs, who is a trustee at Bethel and the pastor's secretary.

Wilson said, "The park focuses on the historical significance of the Washington-Rochambeau route that goes right through here."

In the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington joined forces with the French military leader Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau, who led French soldiers aiding American troops in their war for independence against the British.

Washington and Rochambeau, after a long march that took them through Bowling Green, trapped the British general, Cornwallis, at Yorktown, Virginia.

Cornwallis surrendered Oct. 19, 1781, ending the war and securing American independence.

The two building projects in Bowling Green are taking a bit of history--either national history or local history--and updating it to meet the needs of current day Caroline.

Neither of the two Bowling Green construction projects will hamper traffic on Main Street, according to town officials.

RUTH EBRAHIM/ Editor
The Caroline Progress
804-633-5005
editor@carolineprogress.com
www.carolineprogress.com