Hopewell approves $20 million high school renovation

HOPEWELL -- City officials have approved spending $20 million to renovate Hopewell High School.

The city plans to pay for the project by increasing the real estate tax by 3 cents each year in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

The project is expected to cost $26 million, but the council set a local spending cap of $20 million.

However, if state or federal stimulus money can be applied to the project, 50 percent of the money would be added to the $20 million approved, while the other 50 percent would be applied as a credit against the $20 million.