HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-20-2003-8lORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 20, 2003
Action Agenda
Item No. ~_
SUBJECT: Lease Renewal -Alliance for Historic Hillsborough for Dickson House
DEPARTMENT: Purchasing & Central Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
• Proposed Lease Renewal
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pam Jones, 245-2652
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel HiIN 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider athree-year renewal of the lease with the Alliance for Historic
Hillsborough for the Dickson House and associated property and outbuildings for the purposes
of continued operation of the Visitor's Center.
BACKGROUND: The County approved the purchase of the Dickson House and property from
the Historic Preservation Fund of Hillsborough, Inc. in March 1993. An agreement executed in
tandem with the acquisition of the property in 1993 between the County and the Preservation
Fund (the Fund) reflects a number of conditions that affect the disposition and use of the
property and structures. One such condition is that for a period of ten years from March 1,
1993, the property be "made available to the Hillsborough Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc., or
to some other organization for operation as a visitor's center and allied uses for the Town of
Hillsborough and Orange County...". Although the ten-year commitment has been fulfilled, the
building does not present itself as suitable for County space needs pending at this time. In
addition to being fairly small, the upper floor is not accessible except by a narrow staircase,
thereby making it less suitable for many County functions.
The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough continues to operate the Visitor's Center from the Dickson
House.
The proposed rent has been calculated using the square footage of the Dickson House as its
basis. The house is approximately 2,713 square feet. At $12 per square foot, the annual lease
amount is $32,556. The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough has indicated that its budget
continues to diminish as funding sources cut allocations. As a result, the Alliance is unable to
take full responsibility of the rent. Assuming that the BOCC supports the continuation of the
Visitor's Center under the direction of the Alliance, the staff has proposed a cost and
responsibility sharing arrangement that would have the Alliance paying $2,760 per year cash
rent, with the remaining $29,796 in-kind support for the tourism initiative.
The allocation of maintenance responsibilities at the facility is summarized below;
• Alliance for Historic Hillsborough responsibilities:
o Routine interior maintenance, including painting;
o Maintenance of Helen's Garden (paid for by the Preservation Fund)
o Other grounds care, except for routine mowing
o Utilities
o Cleaning
• County:
o Exterior maintenance of the building
o Mowing
o Other maintenance outside of Tenant responsibility
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The County would receive $2,760 cash annually from the proceeds of
this lease.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve a lease with the
Alliance for Historic Hillsborough for the Dickson House, property and associated outbuildings
through June 30, 2006 ;and authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board.
NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF ORANGE LEASE AGREEMENT RENEWAL
WHEREAS a lease agreement was made and entered into as of the 17th day of August, 1999 by and
between the County of Orange, (the County) and the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough (the Alliance) for
space to be used as offices and Visitors' Center at the Dickson House, 150 East King Street,
Hillsborough, North Carolina;
WHEREAS, the County and the Alliance mutually agree to the following:
1. The lease agreement will be continued for a period of three years commencing on July 1,
2003 and ending at 12:00 midnight on June 30, 2006.
2. All other terms and conditions shall remain the same.
This agreed to the day of , 2003.
County of Orange
By:
Margaret W. Brown, Chair
Attest:
Donna S. Baker, Clerk to the Board
Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, Inc.
By:
Chair, Alliance for Historic Hillsborough
Board of Directors
Attest:
Secretary
4
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
I, , a Notary Public for said County and State, do hereby certify that
,personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that he/she is
of the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, Inc. and that by authority duly given and as the
act of the Alliance the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by its ,sealed with its
corporate seal and attested by himself/herself as its _
Witness my hand and official seal, this the day of _ , 2003.
My Commission expires:
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
ORANGE COUNTY
Notary Public
I, , a Notary Public for said County and State, do hereby certify that Donna S.
Baker personally appeared before me this date and acknowledged that she is the Clerk to the Board of
Commissioners of Orange County, and that by authority duly given and as the act of Orange County, the foregoing
instrument was signed in its name by Margaret M. Brown, Chair, sealed with its official seal, and attested by herself
as its Clerk.
Witness my hand and official seal, this the day of , 2003.
My Commission expires:
Notary Public