Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
29 <br />Assessment: <br />This building might be able to be used to house archives (though is larger than is needed in the <br />consultant's opinion forjust an archives.) If the Orange County Museum would be interested in being <br />part of the equation they would need to assess the square footage needed for exhibit space, storage, <br />etc., to see if it would give them enough space to warrant a move. <br />The front 2/3rds of the building would need to be reconfigured to accommodate exhibits and /or <br />archival storage. The sheetrock walls will make this less expensive than dealing with load bearing walls. <br />Of concern is the narrow width of the building. If the building is only used for archives, the space should <br />be easily configured to accommodate a research area, office, possible book store and storage (open and <br />or closed) for the documents/archives. <br />If the building is used for both expansion of the Orange County Museum and the archives, the floor plan <br />would need to be very thoughtful to accommodate both. If the museum oversaw the archives the space <br />for the archives be located toward the back of the building with exhibits, gift shop and lobby up front. If <br />the museum did not oversee the archives, but was housed in the same building a division of space <br />would best be accommodated by having the front door open into the middle of the building with <br />organization on one side or the other. Unfortunately, I don't know if there is space to accommodate a <br />door on one side or the other. <br />An evaluation of climate controls in the existing building would be important. Some addition of <br />humidity controls could be necessary, though the building seemed in good condition and provided space <br />that probably is better than current conditions in the several historic locations. <br />I am concerned about the 1/3 of the building that has issues with flooding. I believe that the land <br />behind the building would need to be reconfigured to prevent or diminish run off into the building. <br />However, this land belongs to someone else. Additionally, 1 believe that similar brick treatment of the <br />exterior of the building might help control the environmental issues of this area, but someone with <br />more expertise should answer this question. The rolling door either needs to be removed, or the floor <br />level elevated so that issues with water are eliminated. Heat and A/C would need to be added to the <br />building to be useful to either the museum or heritage center. Because it is the back of the building it <br />would lend itself mostly to offices or storage... however, storage should not be housed in this portion of <br />the building without correction of the current problems. <br />There are two parking spaces associated with this building. However, it is in walking distance of the <br />Visitor Center, where parking is allowed on the street. <br />One other consideration: What weight load can the foundation bear if you are going to put archives into <br />this building? <br />