Agenda - 11-18-2010 - 3 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

2 • The DSS lease term at Hillsborough Commons expires in 2018, with two ten-year extensions available at the County's option; • Renovations of the Whiffed Building to allow expansion of health clinics and dental services in central Orange are under design, with completion anticipated no later than June 30, 2011. Completion of these renovations will allow the County to dispense with the long-held lease at Carr Mill Mall at an annual savings of approximately $113,000 (including space occupied by the Public Defender's Office discussed later in this abstract). With the understanding along-term space solution will be sought for health and dental clinic space within the next decade, the Whiffed renovations will provide reasonable functionality for both clinics, but will be judicious in the amount of funding spent. Recommendations: Retain services of a space planning consultant who can: • Determine/confirm departmental long-term needs; and • Explore potential locations where facilities would best be located; and • Provide cost analysis to support recommendations. Southern Orange Human Services Campus The Southern Orange Human Services Campus has long been intended for consolidation of County services in southern Orange. Currently there are two buildings on the campus: the Human Services Center and the Seymour Senior Center. Expansion requests have already been made for both of these buildings. In fact, the March 6, 2008 minutes approving the lease/purchase of DSS office space and Hillsborough Commons requested that funding fora 15,000 square foot addition to the Southern Human Services Center be funded by 2011-2012, if possible. The Human Services Center was designed to allow an expansion off the east end of the building that would essentially allow the existing 25,000 square foot building to double in size. Although a 15,000 square foot extension was discussed in 2008, an assessment of the programs offered at the facility should be conducted prior to commencement of design so one addition can yield sufficient operational space for the long-term. In addition to these two facilities, a court facility has been discussed as a third possibility on the Southern Orange campus. The Town of Chapel Hill currently provides the court facility on Franklin Street and recoups the court facilities fees to help fund its operation. Should, however, replacement be warranted in the future, the construction would be the County's responsibility. The Southern Campus has previously been discussed as the site for that facility. The Board may recall that the concept plan for the Southern Orange Campus, considered in 2006, provides four additional building sites of varying sizes including the expansion of the human services building (see attached concept drawing). This drawing, prepared by the Planning Department staff, was conceptual only and did not have the benefit of surveys or other information that could inform the plan and assure its accuracy. The Manager has suggested that the County seek a professional space planning consultant to produce a master plan of the site, which would include vetting the possible building sites against regulatory constraints that currently exist or are contemplated (e.g. changes in the Town's tree ordinance).