Walker Building Repurposing Committee
Upcoming Events
Mission Statement
To transform the Walker school and its surrounding property into a sustainable community asset that acknowledges the historical value of this cherished landmark and serves as a vital hub for connection and community activities including recreation, education, social support, and essential services to enhance residents’ social, emotional, and physical well-being.
Committee’s Work
The committee’s work is to develop and execute a proposal that Liberty residents approve which presents the vision, funding mechanisms, renovation plans, project management, business & operational models, and occupancy components necessary for success.
Upcoming committee meetings: Wed., Nov. 11, 6pm at Walker.
- Minutes
- Surveys
- Event Flyers
- Event Sign-Ups
- Committee Members
Walker-Thon 5K: Oct. 17, 2026, 9am (registration)–until
Cornhole Tournament: Sept. 19, 2026, 12–3pm
Walker Community Repurposing Committee Info sessions: June 2026
Bringing the Arts to Walker Meeting: March 22, 2026, 3pm
Walker-Thon Sponsor Sheet for Oct. 17, 2026
Cornhole Tournament Sign-Up: Sept. 19, 2026, 12–3pm
Elise Brown, Chair
Barbara Edmond, Vice-chair
Cheryl Ball, Secretary
Facilities Team
Richard King, Team Lead
Jim Caldwell
Mixed-Use Team
Pete Beckford
Carol McGovern
Harry Schadei
Patty Crawford
Community Engagement Team
Andrea Clifford, Team Lead
Joanne Pease
Mica Whitney
Patty Crawford
Fundraising Team
Cheryl Ball, Team Lead
Bob Kohl
Barbara Edmond
Elise Brown
Interested in joining?
Email townadministrator@libertymaine.us for more information or come to a meeting!
🌟 Click Here to Donate Online! 🌟
Your tax-deductible donation to the Town of Liberty will go directly to support the Walker School Redevelopment Project to turn the building into a community hub! You can also donate in person through cash or check at the town offices or through a committee member.
Note: When a non-municipal 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor is required for grant applications, the Liberty Library Association serves the Town of Liberty—Walker School Redevelopment Project in that capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why is Walker School closed?
During the 2024–25 school year, RSU3 announced that it would be closing the school at the end of the year. The ultimate reason was low enrollment.
- Where are the kids going to school now?
The Leaving Regional School Unit 3 Committee in Liberty is working separately from the Walker Building Redevelopment Committee. Visit their website for more information.
- Who owns the Walker School building?
The Town of Liberty owns the building. Liberty residents unanimously voted in January 2026 to receive the building back from RSU3. The transition of ownership took place on July 1, 2026.
- What is the plan for the Walker School building?
Based on community feedback during info-gathering meetings, the Walker Building Redevelopment Committee has been creating a plan to turn the school into a multipurpose community hub. This hub will contain the town offices, business and non-profit rental spaces, and community spaces.
Once this plan is more fully fleshed out, it will be brought to the residents of Liberty for a town vote.
- When do I get a say in what the building will become?
- Attend one of the many informational and Q&A sessions the Committee has and will continue to host regarding the building redevelopment. Information about these meetings is posted on the school’s marquis, on the Walker Building Redevelopment Committee website, on social media, and in the Liberty monthly newsletter.
- Visit the information table at all our fundraiser events.
- Contact us @ walkerbuildingsec@gmail.com or Message us on our Walker Community Center Facebook Page. We welcome your thoughts and questions!
- Vote! Once the committee’s plan for the multipurpose hub is more fully fleshed out, it will be brought to the residents of Liberty for a town vote.
- When is the building going to re-open?
Our goal is to re-open the renovated building for full use in Fall 2028.
- Why can’t we use it in the meantime?
- Why is the renovation taking so long?
- How much will the renovation cost?
- Where is the money coming from?
- Where can I donate?
- Is my donation tax-deductible?
- What is my donation being used for?
- Who is in charge of the redevelopment?
- Where can I get more information about the redevelopment project?
- Who can I contact with further questions about the Walker School Redevelopment Project?
The change of use from a school to a new type of occupancy requires us to bring the building up to current codes. We are working with the state fire marshal team to open the ground floor in the coming months for interim use. Stay tuned!
The building has to be brought up to existing fire, safety, building, and energy codes. This renovation includes adding an elevator to make the building accessible, installing a sprinkler system, updating the HVAC system and other energy-efficient upgrades. The building also needs upgraded lighting, wiring, plumbing, fixtures, etc. to make it usable by a larger population.
We are estimating the renovation will cost approximately $3.5 million.
A key goal for the Selectboard and Redevelopment Committee is to not raise property taxes to complete this renovation. Thus, the committee is working hard to raise funds from federal, state, and private sources. As of October 2026, the committee has submitted over $3 million in grant applications. Many of those grants require a percentage of matching funds from other sources, so we have begun a Major Donor campaign and community fundraising events.
There are many ways to show your financial support for the Walker School Redevelopment Project! You can donate in the following ways:
- Online through the project’s donation portal.
- Checks may be mailed to the Town Office, with Walker Project in the memo line.
- Cash may be dropped off at the Town Office during business hours.
Fundraising events now take all three forms of payment—online, checks, and cash.
If you are a donor who would like to support the Walker School Redevelopment Project, please contact Committee Chair Elise Brown at elisebrw@gmail.com.
Yes! Donations for the Walker project go to the Town of Liberty. As a municipality, such donations are tax-deductible.
Any individual or community donations are used as matching funds for the grants we receive. Collectively, this money is being used directly on design & construction/renovation costs.
To date, expenses for promoting community fundraising campaigns have come from in-kind donations. Small amounts of funds are also used to cover expenses that in-kind donations cannot. If you have questions about the business accounting, please contact Committee Chair Elise Brown.
The Walker Building Redevelopment Committee has been appointed by the Town Selectboard and consists of approximately 12 local residents who volunteer their time and professional expertise in architectural planning, engineering, grantwriting, fundraising, community outreach, business planning, and project management to steer the planning efforts for this redevelopment.
You can read more about their work, or see a list of the members on the committee website.
Follow news and updates about the project on the Redevelopment Committee’s website, Facebook, Instagram, or in the Liberty monthly newsletter (print and digital versions available!). The Committee always hosts an information table at all redevelopment-related events, or reach out to the Committee Chair (listed on the Committee website). We welcome your thoughts and questions!
- Chair Elise Brown <elisebrw@gmail.com>
- Vice-Chair Barbara Edmond <btedmond27@gmail.com>
- Secretary Cheryl Ball <walkerbuildingsec@gmail.com>