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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-15-1998 - 8sORANGECOUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 15, 1998 Agenda Abstract Item #_ SUBJECT: Request for Proposals - National Register Nomination for the White Oak Grove School DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: Yes X No BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: Yes X No ATTACHMENTS: (1) Articles from News of Orange County (2) National Register Study List (NRSL) Application (3) Letter from SHPO re: Placement on NRSL (4) Request for Proposals INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald R. Belk Preservation Planner /X2594 PHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732 -8181 Mebane 227 -2031 Durham 688 -7331 Chapel Hill 967 -9251 PURPOSE: To approve a Request for Proposals for preparation of a nomination of the White Oak Grove School to the National Register of Historic Places. BACKGROUND: Earlier this year, a group of citizens inquired to the Historic Preservation Commission about the possible historic designation of the White Oak Grove School . Residents and surviving alumni cited the importance of White Oak Grove School as a neighborhood focal point the 1930's to the 1950's. There is also interest in acquiring and restoring the structure as a community center (see Attachment #1) The Historic Preservation Commission submitted a National Register Study List application on behalf of the property owner (see Attachment #2). At the quarterly meeting of the North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee, the White Oak Grove School was placed on the National Register Study List (see Attachment #3) In October, again at the urging of citizens from the area, the Historic Preservation Commission voted to place White Oak Grove School on its priority list for National Register nominations and local historic designation for 1999. There is $10,000 in the current fiscal year budget designated for National Register nominations and local landmark designations. White Oak Grove School will be the first of three or four properties recommended for the annual historic designation program. The cost of preparing a National Register nomination for this site is estimated to range from $2,500 - $3,500. BACKGROUND: The Request for Proposals (see Attachment #4) will be used to select a architectural (continued) historian, landscape architect, or other preservation professional to prepare a National Register nomination. REC0NEWENDATION: The Historic Preservation Commission and staff will distribute the RFP to a list of qualified consultants certified by the State Historic Preservation Office. The HPC will make a consider proposals and provide a recommendation to the BOCC, along with a proposed contract for the project. Administration Recommendation The Administration recommends approval of the Request for Proposals. 2 (1) Old White Oak Grove School nominated for national register By RJ. Beatty The News of Orange County The story of the White Oak Grove School began, as with so many remarkable occurrences, not by choice, but by necessity. Back in 1927, 50 families in the Carr community of Cedar Grove came together to discuss prospects for a new school in the area. At the time, the only school for the predominantly black community was the Haith School, across Highway 49 in the extreme northwestern tip of Orange County — miles away from some of the children's homes. Though the children would still have to walk to a new school, a more central loca- tion was sorely needed. With land donated by local farmer and businessman Doc Burry Corbett, lumber furnished and hauled by community citizens, a S50 donation by Superintendent R. Clayton "for desks and other equipment," and a deep inner de- termination and collective iron will, the Parents - Teachers League was organized and White Oak Grove School was born. From its opening on Oct. 17, 1927 to its closing in the late 1940s, when the county consolidated all the community schools into the new Cedar Grove School on Highway 86, White Oak Grove served as a central gathering place for the black community, a manifestation of goodwill by the. parents of Cedar Grove. Fifty years later, their children came together to ensure that the lessons they learned should not be forgotten by the next generation. The children were grown now, seated together in quiet determina- tion at the meeting of the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission last Wednesday, Oct. 28. The commission met that night to discuss the presentation of the White Oak Grove School to the National Register Advisory Com- mittee — the board that assesses a site's eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. Tom Allison, chair of the His- toric Preservation Commission, told the audience that the NRAC had determined the White Oak Grove School to be potentially eli- gible for the National Register. It was the Historic Preservation Commission's job, said Allison, to prepare a written research report evaluating the school's history as a formal nomination document. To _ The White Oak Grove School, Carr Store Road. RJ. Beagrl7ie Newi of Orange County this end, a motion was passed to tee, with ties to the school and sur- hire a consultant to make the pre- At this point Iris Thompson - sentation to the Advisory Commit- _ Chapman, a Cedar Grove resident - See Schools, Page 2A 01 98 Schools continued from Front rounding community, rose and spoke of what exactly needed to be preserved. 9fie made the point that the National Register typically conferred landmark status on sites possessing architectural brilliance, but in the case of the White Oak Grove School, other factors were more Alp - ificant. "[We want to] preserve a history, a heritage, of a time when there was no other place for African - American students to go," said Chapman. She made the point that while the building itself wasn't es- pecially stunning architecturally, and in fact had fallen into disrepair, the school, located next to the White Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church, deserved recognition based on the role it played in people's lives. For twenty years the parents of the community kept the school running, educating grades 1 -7, with virtually no outside aid. In addi- _ tion to _English, mathematics (regular math and algebra), spelling, geography, reading, and writing, children studied music, penmanship, arts and crafts, and Bible verses. A Sunday School was 'established, and elaborate Christmas and May Day celebra- tions were held. Through it all, the parents found a way to pay for textbooks, lights, water coolers, and grounds maintenance. A dentist was brought in periodically to look af- ter the children's teeth, as well as a doctor to check eyes, ears, noses, and throats. The county did pay the salaries of the school's faculty, including the Rev. P.O. Jones, the school's first principal. - "Rev. Jones was a man who be- lieved in helping people, who'd go into homes and work with kids who needed extra help and train- ing," said Martha Corbett Nichols, whose father donated the land for ..; .. .. the school back in 1927. The ma- jority of those who founded the school and breathed life into it dur- ing its existence were described by the school's alumni as exception- ally hard- working. According to Don Belk, planner for the commission, several op- tions exist to recognize and reno- vate the property. The White Oak Grove School could be designated a local landmark, instead of or in ad- dition to inclusion on the National Register. Local landmark status would confer a tax break on the property, making renovation more likely to become reality. - Belk said that while everything was still in the planning stages, the commission expected to make its recommendation to the Board of Commissioners next month. Ren- ovating the property; he said, would need to be a matter of com- munity organization, and would need to be owned by a nonprofit entity in order to be eligible for the limited funds the county has to of- fer. The property is currently pri- vately owned. Belk also stated that if the school did make it on to the National Reg- ister, that would certainly be a big boost in efforts to drum up com- munity interest in renovation. The citizens who attended the school, who want to renovate the building into a community center and li- brary, hope to spearhead another community effort of the kind that founded the school in the first place. "They [the Parents Teachers League] worked together for a common cause, and they did it without too much help from any- one," said Ellen Corbett Askew, who still lives just across the road from the school she attended so long ago. "That's the kind of thing [people] shouldn't forget." to White Oak. Grove still bringing joy By Mary Jo Sheridan The News of Orange County White Oak Grove Primitive Bap- tist Church is a small, brick church that sits on Can Store Road in Ce- dar Grove, only a few yards away from the old White Oak Grove School. The church was organized several years before the school. In fact, in the early days of the church, its members first gathered there without the benefit of shelter, ac- cording to Georgia McPherson, the oldest member of the church. McPherson, considered by the other members to be the mother of the church, recalls the church's be- ginnings. She said the church was organized around 1920. "Richard Corbett was a prosper- ous man," said McPherson. "He ran a store and a farm. And he gave us the land for the church. "He also sold us the land for the cemetery to promote a place for poor saints and sinners to be buried. The Corbetts had a reputation of being' the workingest people around." The exact date the church was or- ganized is uncertain. According to a 1953 edition of 'qle Primitive Newsletter," a monthly newsletter distributed to regional members of Primitive Baptists, the church was organized as part of a larger associa- tion called the Durham Primitive Baptist Association. The associa- tion was first organized on Aug. 5, 1888. Also according to the newsletter, the Eno Primitive Baptist Church, a church for whites, was organized in north Durham in about 1879. Members of that church then organ- ized the Durham Negro Primitive Baptist Church and the Mill Grove Church in approximately 1883. According to the minutes of the 78th annual session of the Durham Colored Primitive Baptist Associa- tion, which was held in 1966, the church has sixteen articles of faith. The third article stated, "We believe that God, before the formation of the world, for a pur- pose of his own glory, did elect a certain number of men and _angels to eternal life, and that this election is particular, eternal and uncondi- tional on the creature's part." McPherson noted that there is a specific scripture which suggests to believers to take nothing for the journey, because the Lord will care for them. McPherson said the preachers of the church were the elders. She re- called the first preachers being eld- ers Slade, Henderson, and Wells. "Elder Henderson lived " in Dur- ham," said McPherson. "He drove by horse and buggy to our church. We'd pay him $3 to come. Some Mary Jo SheridannTAe News of Orange County Georgia McPherson is considered the mother of the church by other members of White Oak Grove Primi- tive Baptist Church. folks, who couldn't afford to pay "Each generation gets weaker and Elder Henderson, brought fodder for wiser," said McPherson. "That's his horse so that he'd be quiet dur- what the Bible says." ing the meeting. "Sometimes the sisters would Adjacent to the church is a long, pack a lunch for Eider Henderson, narrow pavilion lined with picnic and maybe a little extra for his tables and benches. Members of wife, so he was a happy man." the church gather there for lunch McPherson noted that Elder after certain meetings like the an- Wells was one of the favorites be- nual communion day or for the cause he was a good speaker. reunion meetings, which are usu- According to McPherson, the cur- ally held in May and September. rent church members are mostly "The Lord gives religion to the tobacco farmers who come from as people, you know," said McPher- far as Greensboro. She noted that son. "We can't do that, but we can many of the members are aging and invite them to come and eat with unable to come for meetings. us." C_ ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT 306F REVERE ROAD HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278 rn:fi September 10, 1998 Jennifer Martin, National Register Coordinator Survey and Planning Branch State Historic Preservation Office 109 East Jones Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 -2807 Re: Study List Application for White Oak Grove School, OR 0761, Cedar Grove vicinity, Orange County, NC Dear Jennifer: The above - referenced Study List Application is enclosed. Please contact me at (919) 732- 8181, extension 2594 if you need additional information. Sincerely, Iedlz� Donald R. Belk, AICP Preservation Planner /db enclosure 7 North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources Division of Archives and History STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE SURVEY AND PLANNING BRANCH 919/733 -6545 STUDY LIST APPLICATION This application initiates preliminary consideration of a property for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. This does not mean that a property is being nominated to the Register at this time, nor does this application constitute a National Register nomination form. Rather, it enables evaluation of a property to determine if it is likely to qualify for such listing. The evaluation takes place at the quarterly meeting of the National Register Advisory Committee. If approved by the Committee, the property will be placed on the Study List. Applicants will be notified'of the Committee's actions in writing shortly after the meeting. once a property is approved for the Study List, a formal nomination may be prepared. For a description of the nomi- nation and listing process, see the enclosed National Register Fact Sheet 3: "HOW HISTORIC PROPERTIES ARE LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES." Please type, if possible, or print. All submitted materials become the property of the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office and cannot be returned. 1. HISTORIC NAME OF PROPERTY (If historic name is not known, use current name or address) White Oak Grove School (OR #0761) 2. LOCATION (physical location, not mailing address) A. Street or State Route /Highway SR 1004 (Carr Store Road) B. Town or vicinity Cedar Grove, NC C. County Orange 3. LEGAL OWNER OF PROPERTY (please indicate Xr., Mrs., Xs., Dr., or other appropriate title) DAY -TIME NAME: Odell C. Prince c/o Nina C. Breeze TELEPHONE FIRM and /or ADDRESS 4501 Carr Store Road Cedar Grove, NC 27231 City /State Zip Code Rl 4. GENERAL DATA A. Date(s) of Building(s): late 1920s B. Outbuildings: Yes X No ; If yes, number 1 C. Have any buildings on the property been moved? Yes No X If yes, please give date of move and the reason for and details of the move. Use an additional sheet if necessary. D. Approximate Acreage: Parcel 8.3 acres E. Architect and /or Builder /Mason (if known) : Burrie 'Doc' Corbett F. Original Use: School G. Present Use: Residence (abandoned /not in use) S. GENERAL ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION On an attached 8 1/2" x 11" sheet, briefly describe architectural features, additions, remodelings, and any alterations not apparent in photographs. Also, describe the setting, e.g. rural, downtown neighborhood, etc. 6. HISTORY On an attached 8 1/2" x 11" sheet, briefly note any significant events, personages and /or families associated with the property. (Detailed family genealogies are not necessary.) Please list any additional sources of information. Only material contained on the form will be used in the evaluation. 7. REASON FOR REQUEST: There is a growing interest in Orang and preserving rural school buildings. The White Oak Grove African - American primary school built in the late 1920's by local funds. Descendants of these community leaders desire rehabilitate, and preserve the structure. Eventually, they create a community center. 8. SLIDES /PHOTOGRAPHS a County in identifyin( School was a rural, local craftsmen using to acquire, hope to raise funds t� At least two current exterior color slides must be provided. SLIDES MUST BE LABELLED (name of structure, address, county).. Current interior views and views of other buildings on the property would also be helpful. If the property is in a developed setting, such as a residential neighborhood or a business district, include slides of adjoining streetscapes and indicate how these views relate to subject property. Current exterior and interior photographs (preferably black and white) would also be helpful. Good photocopies of photographs are acceptable. Note: If slides are not included, the staff can make an informal evaluation of the property, but it cannot be presented to the Review Committee. 9 5. GENERAL ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION This structure was built in the late 1920's as a community school. In the early 1950's, the building was converted into a private residence. The covered porch was added at this time. The one - and -a -half story structure is two rooms wide and four rooms long and features three gabled dormer windows on the front facade, with the middle being a double window. There are two front doors, six - over -six double -hung windows, gable returns on the gable sides, and the house is sheathed in novelty siding. The attached porch is one story in height and covers a third of the front (east) facade and wraps around half of the south facade. 10 6. HISTORY The Carr community, a traditionally African- American enclave near the Cedar Grove rural crossroads, decided to build a school within their neighborhood because their children were forced to travel several miles to attend segregated schools. The White Oak Grove School was built in the late 1920s, adjacent to the White Oak Grove Church. It officially opened on October 19, 1927 after contributions from the local community matched an appropriation by the Orange County Board of Education. The building of the school galvanized the community. Numerous fund raisers were conducted in order to match the funding from the County school board. Festivities such as cookouts and bake sales, box sales, and `womanless weddings' were organized to raise money for school desks, books, and supplies. School construction was spearheaded by Burrie "Doc" Corbett, scion of the family who donated land for the original White Oak Grove Church in the late 19th century. Mr. Corbett was a prosperous farmer, and was well -known as a philanthropist in the local community. White Oak Grove School served the African - American families of Cedar Grove and Carr for 25 years, until the County constructed a modern, consolidated facility near McDade's Crossroads. Around 1952, Doc Corbett converted the school building into a home for his daughters. Later, James Corbett lived in the house from 1957 until 1978. The structure has been vacant since. 11 9. MAP Please'Include a map showing the location of the property. A sketch map is acceptable, but please note street and route numbers. Any outbuildings on the property should also be noted. Please include a "North" arrow. 10. Is the property income producing ?, Yes No. X ; if so will the applicant seek the Rehabilitation Tax Credit? Yes No 11. Has the property ever been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office or during a local historic building survey? If so, when and by whom? January 1993 - Orange County Historic Resource Inventory, Todd Peck and Jody Carter. File #ORO761 12. APPLICANT OR CONTACT PERSON INFORMATION (If other than owner) Name Orange County Historic Preservation Telephone 919- 732 -8181, ext. 2594 Commission Address 306 -F Revere Road city /state Hillsborough, NC zip Code 27231 Signature Date 13. This application is submitted (check one of the following]: at the request of the owner. X with the owner's knowledge but not at his or her request. without the owner's knowledge. Return to: Linda Harris Edmisten, National Register Coordinator Survey and Planning Branch State Historic Preservation office N.C. Division of Archives and History Xailsna Address: 109 E. Jones Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 -2807 O.ftice Location: Lewis -Smith House 515 N. Blount Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Telephone: 919/733 - 6545 --,ocation flap 0 12 r White Oak Grove School, OR 0761 C ' I� C ? O \� l� �Y dar -4w Al 'J� UR C It it 6 R-Ovb it- r Com, whJu0skI36" 67 rs., # " V6 If it ..68/ 4;1 it At I \ `�� 1j � N .. r. n Z Vicinity Map for Cedar Grove, NC I. •=U Cl urling Cid schl .0 Fv" Eft." 10 ly C'- ORA 68� AN ap 13 Selected Parcels Background Info OWNER: PRINCE ODELL C M -4-` PROPERTY MAP This map contains parcels prepared for the inventory of real property within Orange County, and is compiled from recorded deeds, plats, and other public records and data. Users of this map are hereby notified that the aforementioned public primary information sources should be consulted for verification of the information contained on this map. The County and its mapping companies assume no legal responsibility for the information contained on this map. Map Scale: 1' = 197' DATE: 10 Sep 98 15:08:18 Thursday n., n........, rte.....,.., r` —trai I Anri Ror^nrric /f;IS office rnmr, I ........ K'ObAK 5053 TMY 15 KO 10 c _ inA 11 c It 12 •. -^ter .f�'� ..,`��`s`•�••I III (l l •\ ♦� � '- � � ++�E� /�1'.�i' /.�' -r�' ��� ✓' !'' , r. { � y {' 1,� -•�`i .•�'{I I, •! ,.� • +; �� • r. .;'h «r.. ' I ,�• r � � � _ _ I ;�`�, I, �1, �, , ��� ,111 '.i �r,rrwe�«• • ! �' �.� '� !.1 r ��'. 'ti � • r r a 1 .! ' � � `�'J!' i � °, •��rn°'t w�lti�T4 �•..d_ t! '/• 1 +,. 'tr!1 ,�'Lt,L! ,11,4 _ .:i.t •�r♦ ., •• ,• ,� �t ,�h.r'�V v..'' .,; "�AiF�,(.gT21;41•���et��'�'a '0 3 °f o iii KivUAii 5053-1 1AYi" i KObAi: 5C53 I iolY W KO ten - c. Y ._.. �'', w1• t' 111 �..�..�. -i sure~ North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources James B. Hunt Jr., Governor Betty Ray McCain, Secretary October 21, 1998 Odell C. Prince c/o Nina C. Breeze 4501 Carr Store Rd. Cedar Grove, NC 27231 RE: White Oak Grove School, Cedar Grove, Orange County Dear Mr. Prince: 15 Division of Archives and History Jeffrey J. Crow, Director At the request of the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission, the above -named property, which you own, was presented to the National Register Advisory Committee (NRAC) at its meeting in Raleigh on October 8, 1998, for a preliminary assessment of the property's eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. The NRAC is a board of professionals and citizens with expertise in history, architectural history, and archaeology, and meets quarterly to advise me on the eligibility of properties for the National Register. The committee determined that this property is potentially eligible for the National Register and warrants further study. Accordingly, the property has been added to the Study List of potential nominations to the National Register. The inclusion of a property on the Study List places no restrictions, requirements, or obligations on the property's owner. The Study List is simply the first step in the National Register listing process. Please note that placement on the Study List does not mean automatic nomination to the Register. Also, please note that a property may not be nominated to the National Register over the objection of its private owner. The next step in the process is preparation of a formal National Register nomination document. This is a written research report prepared to National Register standards which describes and evaluates the property and its history. The property will be nominated only if you initiate this next step, or if an interested third party does so with your knowledge and concurrence. The enclosed set of National Register Fact Sheets describes the National Register and the listing process. 109 East Jones Street • Raleigh. North C a�n�ina ?'lhnt _'M7 D n 16 ` October 21, 1998 Page 2 Listing in the National Register is largely an honorary designation that can also crenerate substantial benefits for the property owner. It provides a measure of protection from any state or federally funded or licensed project that might affect the property. In addition, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 provides for a federal income tax credit of twenty percent for the rehabilitation of income - producing properties (commercial or residential rental) that are listed in the National Register. Also, effective January 1998, taxpayers who receive the federal income tax credit are allowed to take a twenty percent credit against North Carolina income taxes. Likewise, a state tax credit of thirty percent of the cost of qualifying rehabilitations offers aid to owners of non - income - producing historic structures. Please note that National Register listing does not restrict a private owner's use of his or her property. If you have questions about the National Register program, please contact the National Register Coordinator at the address and telephone number shown at the end of National Register Fact Sheet 3. Sincerely, rte. Jeffrey J. Crow State Historic Preservation Officer JJC/hlb enclosures cc: Donald Belk, Orange County Planning Department ORANGE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT 306F REVERE ROAD HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278 fly B A, � � k? REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS For: Preparation of National Register Nomination for White Oak Grove School, OR 0761, Cedar Grove vicinity, Orange County, NC Submission Deadline: January 22, 1999 Contact: Donald R. Belk, AlCP, Preservation Planner Orange County Planning Department 306F Revere Road Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 919/732 -8181 Extension 2594 e -mail: dbelk @co.orange.nc.us Orange County is seeking a qualified and experienced architectural historian, historian, historical geographer, or landscape architect to prepare a nomination of the White Oak Grove School to the National Register of Historic Places. Project Description This project will complete a National Register Nomination for the White Oak Grove School. The school is located in the vicinity of Cedar Grove, a rural crossroads community located in northwestern Orange County (see Vicinity Map). The White Oak Grove School was placed on the National Register Study List by the North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee on October 8, 1998. The Carr community, a traditionally African- American enclave near the Cedar Grove rural crossroads, decided to build a school within their neighborhood because their children were forced to travel several miles to attend segregated schools. 1 16a- 17 The White Oak Grove School was built in the late 1920s, adjacent to the White Oak Grove Church. It is believed to have officially opened in 1927 after contributions from the local community matched an appropriation by the Orange County Board of Education. The building of the school galvanized the community. Numerous fund raisers were conducted in order to match the funding from the County school board. Festivities such as cookouts and bake sales, box sales, and `womanless weddings' were organized to raise money for school desks, books, and supplies. School construction was spearheaded by Burrie "Doc" Corbett, scion of the family who donated land for the original White Oak Grove Church in the late 19th century. Mr. Corbett was a prosperous farmer, and was well -known as a philanthropist in the local community White Oak Grove School served the African- American families of Cedar Grove and Carr for 25 years, until the County constructed a modern, consolidated facility near McDade's Crossroads. Around 1952, Doc Corbett converted the school building into a home for his daughters. Later, James Corbett, lived in the house from 1957 until 1978. The structure has been vacant since. Proiect Reauirements The scope of work will include conducting the historical research necessary to determine the cultural significance of the White Oak Grove School; evaluation of the historical integrity of the structure; application of the National Register criteria and preparation of the National Register forms. The work will also include the required photography for the nomination forms and preparation of a color slide presentation. The consultant is expected to present findings at a community information meeting as well as the public hearing on the proposed nomination. Both of these meetings will occur in conjunction with regularly scheduled meetings of the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission. 2 Vicinity Map Project Schedule The projected starting date is March 1, 1999, and all work must be completed by August 1, 1999. Consultants submitting a proposal must specify a starting date and completion date for the project. Project Budget The project budget is funded from Orange County general revenues. Consultants submitting a proposal must provide, insofar as possible, an estimate of the costs for professional fees, travel, and supplies. Consultants must also provide an estimate of the amount of time to be expended on the project. Type of Contract The type of contract awarded will be on a cost reimbursement basis with a "not -to- exceed" provision. Consultant Selection/Oualifications Consultants or consulting firms will be evaluated in part on the basis of the following criteria: 1. The person/firm must have performed satisfactorily on previous National Register Nominations as indicated by the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, State Historic Preservation Office; K3 W 19 2. The person/firm must demonstrate a professional writing capability with a style of high quality that is suitable for publication; 3. The person/firm must have adequate experience and staff to perform the work required. Previous work in the Chapel Hill, Orange County, and/or Research Triangle area is preferable; 4. The person/firm must have the ability to meet the time schedule established for the work; and 5. The person/firm must meet the qualifications of 36 CFR 61. There will be two main considerations in the selection process: (1) familiarity with the geographic area, and (2) previous completion of National Register Nominations. However, these will not be the controlling criteria. Where two or more persons/firms are proposed to undertake the project, the proposal must specify in some detail the working relationship envisaged in the partnership or joint venture. This latter requirement does not apply where two or more persons are members of the same firm. Submission of Proposals Persons or consulting firms interested in the project are invited to submit a proposal, including a statement of qualifications which addresses the aforementioned criteria. References and samples of previous work must be submitted as part of the proposal. Proposals must be submitted to Orange County by 5:00 p.m. (DST) on January 22, 1999. Proposals may be mailed or delivered to: Donald R. Belk, AICP, Preservation Planner Orange County Planning Department 306F Revere Road Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 Telephone 919/732 -8181, extension 2594 e -mail: dbelk @co.orange.nc.us Questions regarding the project may also be addressed to the same individual. 4 All proposals received will become the property of Orange County and will be evaluated to determine which proposal most closely meets the requirements of the County. At the discretion and option of Orange County, oral interviews may be conducted with one or more firms to assist in the selection process. Orange County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to accept the proposal most favorable to the County. 9 20