A new Boys & Girls Club is to be built on the grounds of the Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in the East End.

The Richmond School Board cleared the way March 6 for the project by approving the administration’s plan to lease vacant land at the school to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond.

“We believe this would be a great addition,” said School Board member Felicia Cosby, 6th District, which includes the middle school.

While a construction timetable has not been set, the group is planning a 20,000-square-foot building to serve 500 to 600 teens.

The proposed facility, expected to cost around $3 million to build and equip, would be designed to aid students ages 13 to 18 to focus on their career or college goals through after-school and summer programs.

Among other offerings, the center is expected to provide internships and other hands-on work experiences for participating youths.