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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-01-1996 - X-C r 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. X-Co ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 1,1996 SUBJECT: BUILDING ADDITION; COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOR PEOPLE UNDER SIX DEPARTMENT: PURCHASING AND Public Hearing: No CENTRAL SERVICES Budget Amendment Reqd? No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: PAM JONES, ext.2650 or Letter of request WILBERT MCADOO,ext 2625 Telephone Number- Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 967-9251 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 a PURPOSE: To receive information regarding a proposed addition to the Northside Facility in Chapel Hill by the Community School for People Under Six. BACKGROUND: The Community School for People Under Six have met with County staff recently to discuss the proposed addition to the Northside facility. Their letter of request is attached to this abstmcL Highlights of their request include: • Addition of approximately 2,150 square feet to provide space for. • 12 new infantitoddler spaces; • an indoor playroom for gross motor play during adverse weather, • storage space for materials and equipment; • staff lounge; • therapy room to provide individual support to children with special needs. • Approximately cost of expansion$180,000. • Funding to come from a combination of sources,including a grant from the Mary Whiting Ewing Foundation($75,000),of which approximately$60,000 will be used for the construction project, the remainder will provide daycare subsidies. The Community School Board acknowledges that the addition will be part of the Northside Multipurpose Complex,and as such will become the property of Orange County upon completion. The Community School Board makes further requests regarding longer4orm funding and maintenance items as cited on Page 2 of the March 11 letter from Anna McLean and Pamela Evans. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the addition for Community School for People Under Six. -------------- COMMUNITY SCHOOL 2 VOR, PEOPLE UNDER, SIX Accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Progntns March 11 , 1996 Mr. Moses Carey, Jr. Chair Orange County Commissioners Post Office Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Attention: Orange County Commissioners Dear Mr. Carey: Community School For People Under Six has been a big part of the child care community in Chapel Hill for 25 years . With the support of Orange County, we have been located in the Northside Multipurpose Complex for over 12 years providing quality child care services . In February, 1995 , our Board of Directors established a vision plan which included expansion of the facility and enrollment spaces for infants and toddlers . The Board approved a 2, 150 square foot expansion plan totaling $180 ,000 which includes 12 new infant/toddler spaces , an indoor playroom for gross motor play during adverse weather when children cannot go outside, storage space for materials and equipment, a staff lounge for staff planning and relaxation away from children, and a therapy room to provide individual support to children with special needs. This facility expansion would take Community School into the 21st Century continuing the mission of providing quality and affordable child care (see attached Vision Plan) . At this time, we wish to make a formal request to the Orange County Commissioners for permission to expand our facility on the current property at Northside by adding an additional 2 , 150 square feet. This expansion will enable Community School to better serve the community need and to provide better care and service to our currently enrolled children, families and staff. There has been a growing need for child care spaces in Chapel Hill over the past few years . We receive numerous telephone calls daily. From July, 1995 to January, 1996 , the local resource and referral agency has documented that 692 families were seeking child care for their children in P.O. Bog 633 Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514 (919) 929-1543 f 1 3 Moses Carey, Jr. Page 2 March 11 , 1996 Orange County. A total of 424 families documented were seeking child care for children under age 2 and over half were under one. Such an expansion would increase the number of available infant/toddler openings in the county, enhance the beauty of the Northside Complex, increase the value of the facility and assets of Orange County, and continue to bring about a more positive image to the residents in the community. We realize such a costly expansion on county property would make the county the sole owners of the building being placed on county land. Community School will be responsible for the financing of this project. If the expansion plans are approved by the Commissioners , we request long-term support from the county by allowing the Northside Complex to be a permanent site for the child care facility, a waiver of any fees pertaining to' the complex be given to Community School , i.e. monthly leasing charges , utility cost, use of copier, use of conference room, and regular maintenance of the facility by Public Works (plumbing, heating and drainage problems , cutting grass , etc. ) . We would also accept any monetary support on the part of the County to assist us in bringing the project to its realization. Community School received a grant from the Mary Whiting Ewing Foundation in October, 1995 totaling $75 ,000 for expansion and subsidy. Additional funding and/or bank financing for the expansion is currently underway. ' Architectural plans have been developed by Tise and Kiester Architects of Chapel Hill (submitted with this letter) . We have made some wonderful accomplishments in the last few years with the support of many agencies and program funding sources . In December, 1994, the child care center received National Accreditation by the National academy of Early Childhood Programs . Also, we have completed 80 percent of the Sunshine Playground Project funded by Governor Hunt' s Smartstart Initiative and the Town of Chapel Hill ' s Revitalization Grant in order to provide a safe outdoor environment for all children at the child care . center and in the community. Upon approval by Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill , we hope to begin the 3-month construction process in May 1996 in order to have the 12 additional enrollment spaces available for the August 1996 enrollment. 4 Moses Carey, Jr. Page 3 March 11, 1996 We are excited about our vision and appreciate your time in considering our request. We look forward to your prompt written response. Sincerely, Anna J. Mercer-McLean Dire for Pamela Evans , Chair Board of Directors cc: Stephen H. Halkiotis , Vice Chair William L. Crowther Alice Gordon Don Willhoit Pamela Jones