Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Laurie Paocelli, Director of the Orange County Visitor's Bureau, said that the Bureau <br /> got involved with this project about six months ago when the news started to appear that there <br /> may not be room in the new library for the genealogical archives. She said that the Bureau <br /> often works with product development in the various towns of the County. Each year, they set <br /> aside about $10,000 to really study and look at the efficacy of bringing in projects like this that <br /> will cost a lot. She said that the Bureau might be able to help the County by overseeing the <br /> $5,000 investment and using a researcher that they use to see if this would really bring visitors <br /> to town and other concerns. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that his concern is the relationship and if the funds will <br /> actually pan out. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Timia Buckingham said that she is a member of the work group and a business partner <br /> on this group. She said that she has the same concerns as Commissioner Nelson. She said <br /> that she wants to find an existing 501(c)3 to overcome the obstacles of starting from scratch. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the study effort is a worthwhile endeavor at this time because of <br /> the professional insight. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger <br /> to authorize the Work Group to proceed with the next steps as shown above, asking the task <br /> force to take into account the questions raised by the County Commissioners. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> b. Approval of Contract to Purchase Real Property from the Draper-Savage <br /> Memorial Foundation (Historic Moorefields) <br /> The Board considered authorizing Orange County's purchase of approximately 13 <br /> acres of land from the Draper-Savage Memorial Trust (Historic Moorefields) for an important <br /> addition to the planned Seven Mile Creek Preserve and authorizing the Chair to sign, subject <br /> to final review by staff and County Attorney. <br /> Dave Stancil said that the Seven Mile Creek Nature Preserve has been a high priority <br /> for the Lands Legacy program for a long time. This preserve also adjoins Historic Moorefields, <br /> which was built circa 1785 and was the home Supreme Court Justice Alfred Moore. The <br /> Draper-Savage Memorial Foundation is currently the owner of this property. <br /> Land Conservation Manager Rich Shaw made the PowerPoint presentation, including <br /> maps. For the past few years, ERCD has pursued acquiring the Historic Moorefields property. <br /> The entire tract is 84 acres, and the County is pursuing 13 acres. There is County land directly <br /> adjacent to this property on the west side. <br /> The Friends of Moorefields has agreed to sell the County this property for the <br /> appraised value of $143,000. The purchase contract has been signed by the Friends of <br /> Moorefields. The closing costs are anticipated to total $6-8,000, which brings the total to <br /> approximately $151,000. Funds would be paid from existing or reimbursable funds from the <br /> County's 2001 Parks and Open Space bond (Lands Legacy). Approximately $2.8 million <br /> remains from the 2001 bond total. <br /> The recommendations are: <br /> 1. Approve the purchase of approximately 13 acres of land located north of <br /> Moorefields Road from the Draper-Savage Memorial Foundation. <br /> 2. Authorize the Chair to sign the contract on behalf of the County, subject to final <br /> review by staff and County Attorney; <br />