In partnership with Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, the Town of Wendell is transforming a historic school building into the Carver Community Center at Pleasant Grove, a vital resource for the surrounding community. Designed by Andre Johnson Architects, the center will feature a gymnatorium, multi-use gathering rooms, and office space, with Wendell’s Parks and Recreation Department utilizing some areas for programming. A striking light tower will pay tribute to the original brick chimney.
WithersRavenel is leading site master planning and community engagement for both the Carver Community Center at Pleasant Grove and the Pleasant Grove Neighborhood Plan. Established by freed slaves after the Civil War, Pleasant Grove has coexisted with Wendell for generations but has had limited involvement in past planning efforts. This project aims to build trust, foster collaboration, and ensure residents help shape their community’s future as they consider potential incorporation and expanded services.
To achieve this, WithersRavenel’s landscape architects and planners are working with a steering committee to coordinate outreach efforts, ensuring inclusive engagement through well-planned activities and community liaisons. This thoughtful approach strengthens relationships and fosters long-term success.
The site design enhances outdoor opportunities with pedestrian plazas, gathering spaces, a centralized rain garden, and a playground. Most importantly, it ensures the continued success of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church’s Food Pantry ministry in partnership with the Food Bank of North Carolina.
Set to open this year, the Carver Community Center at Pleasant Grove represents a meaningful investment in the community’s future, honoring its history while creating a space for connection, support, and growth.