HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-02-1997 - 9f ORANGE COUNTY i
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
MEETING DATE: June 2, 1997
Action Agenda
Item # q- F
SUBJECT: River Park
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC HEARING: Yes--No X_
Board of County Commissioners BUDGET AMENDMENT NEEDED: Yes_
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Resolution(9/13/95) County/Town William Crowther
Park Plan
River Park Financial Information TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
River Park Map Hillsborough - 732-8181
Durham - 699-7331
Mebane - (910) -')27-2031
Chapel Hill - 967-9251/9684501
Purpose: To provide direction to the work group charged with developing a park scope and plan
for the area south of the new courthouse.
Background: On September 13, 1995, a resolution of cooperative effort to develop
a park was signed by Orange County and the Town of Hillsborough. A work group was formed
that included representatives from the County, Town, Hillsborough Area Chamber of Commerce,
Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, and the Occoneechee Indian Tribe.
With design assistance from the North Carolina Department of Community Assistance, a park
plan was developed. In 1996, the Hillsborough Town Board appropriated $25,000 for
1996-1997, and $25,000 in 1997-1998 for site improvements. This spring some of those funds
were spent to fill a bog along the river. This site is designated as an Occoneechee Tribe Palisade,
with a ground blessing planned for June. A proposal for engineering assistance has been accepted
by the North Central Piedmont Resource Conservation and Development Area Inc. Grants
requested from the Town of Hillsborough Tourist Board and the Kirby Foundation are currently
pending. The Hillsborough Area Chamber of Commerce and the Preservation Fund of
Hillsborough have pledged approximately $10,000 for the park.
Questions about the County's long range plans for the site have been raised by representatives of
potential funding sources. The County has charged a new work group with revision of the
county-wide master park plan. It is expected that their work will conclude in February 1998.
In 1995, a study was conducted to assess future justice facilities space needs. If the current
courts site in Hillsborough is used to fulfill these needs, a portion of the area proposed for park
development may be needed. Future master plans will further explore these options. At this
point, the park work group needs direction whether to continue efforts to develop the park by
raising money and completing the plan or to wait for the completion of the Master Park Plan and
any planning to meet justice needs.
Recommendation: As the Board decides.
f 1HY-�y- 1313 1013.5e BUCC/r1HNHUER 9196443W4 F.033 03
RZSOLOTT.00 OF COOPERATIVE EFFORT TO DZVZLOP A PARR
2
WHEREAS, an May 17, 1995, the orange County Board of
Commissioners and the Hillsborough Town Commissioners
endorsed a cooperative effort to develop a park south of the
New Courthouse on county property; and
WHEREAS, interest has been expressed by the Hillsborough
Chamber of Commerce and the Hillsborough Historic Alliance to
participate in such a project; and
WHEREAS, such an effort will increase recreational
opportunities for the citizens of Hillsborough and orange
County.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the orange County
board of Commissioners and the Hillsborough Town Commis-
sioners hereby establish a work group consisting of two (2)
representatives from each of the following:
The Town of Killsborough
or&"* County
The Killsborough Chamber of Commerce
The Alliame for Historic Hillsborough
AND FURTHERtrxwRE,. that this work group will be charged
with dsvelopiog a Park scope and Plan with financiftq
alternatives and a pg2ject9d budget which does not require
Lures.
A14D xr, that the To%m xanager, County waaager
and respective staff with assistance from the State Planning
office support the efforts of the work group.
AXV ylp^ LY, that the work group report on its efforts
within six months of this resolution's adoption.
!mows Carey, Jr. , Chair
Oran county Board of issioners
Da e
ace Johnson.QKayor Town of
Hillsborough
g PT.` 13 1 �9s
Date
TOTAL P.@2
TOTAL. P.03
3
RIVER PARK FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Land
The park site is approximately six and one-half acres. A rough estimate of the value of the
property is $175,500. This estimate is based on the purchase price of$56,700 for the 2.1 acre
Bartow property.
Site Improvements (To Date)
• Site clearing by County - $40,000
• Bog (pond) filling and preparation by Town - $28,000
Site Plan Development
Provided by the NC Department of Community Assistance
Park Features -Estimated Costs
• Performance Pavilion - $80,000
• Bridges - $40,000
• Small Gazebo - $10,000
• Stillhouse Creek Stabilization - Total costs unknown (RC & D will provide
free engineering assistance)
• Site Furnishings - $9,000
• Utilities - $7,500
• Indian Palisade - Total costs unknown (To be raised by Occoneechee Tribe)
• Trails - Total costs unknown(Trail materials and design pending final decision)
Current Financial Requests Pending or Committed
• $25,000 - Town of Hillsborough Budget
• $10,000 - Hillsborough Tourism Board Grant Request
• $80,000 - Kirby Foundation Request
• $10,000 - Committed by the Hillsborough Chamber and Alliance for Historic Hillsborough