Agenda - 02-21-2012-13 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

sin-�6rm0L—h on Z-f-errm FEBRURARY 6th, 2012 TO: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Chair Pelissier, Vice Chair Hemminger, Commissioners Foushee, Gordon, McKee, Jacobs and Yuhasz FROM: Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County Manager SUBJECT: WHITTED BUILDING FORMER LIBRARY SPACE REUSES ANALYSIS — BACKGROUND INFORMATION OVERVIEW In 2010 once the County moved its northern library operations to the new facility located off Margret Street in Downtown Hillsborough the former library space in the Whitted Building became vacant. Different approaches and considerations have been given to reuse of that space along with space in the Whitted Building that formerly housed the County's Department of Social Services. Discussions with the Orange County School Board moved toward their evaluation of using 'all' of the vacated space in the Whitted Building for their use. However, State budget cuts led to a realization that much of the need for the use of that space and the cost of renovation was negated by dour budget projections at the State level. (Note: the school system has since entered into an agreement with the County to reuse the former EMS headquarters located at New Hope and Highway 86.) In the ensuing period, other County budget decisions and departmental needs for public services led to actions that reused portions of the Whitted Building and incurred building modifications and improvements to the County. The Community Development Department moved from its former offices on the ground floor to a location formerly housing DSS on an upper floor in the newer wing of the facility. Additionally, based upon budget driven operational considerations, the Health Department expanded the Hillsborough dental clinic operations along with an extensive remodeling of the lower and second floor Whitted Building space for Health Department needs. During this process, improvements and building safety issues were addressed (inclusive of a fire sprinkler system installation). The building is structurally sound. However, some uses may create added construction considerations associated with needs (i.e. major renovation to restroom facilities based on public attendance volumes). NON COUNTY USE REQUEST — Orange County Cultural Center A private (yet to be incorporated) non - profit group gained a $10,000 seed money grant from the Town of Hillsborough to pursue a private /public partnership to develop a proposal for the reuse of the former Whitted Building library space as a community cultural facility. The group sought assistance from an architect and worked on a plan /proposal for it to become an active programmer of artistic and cultural activities within the Whitted Building (IF, the County would make the space available). The group's "Strategic Business Plan" (9/8/11) is Attachment 1 to this memorandum.