Orange County NC Website
The Central Orange Senior Center and SportsPlex renovations are well underway. <br /> There will be 15,000 square feet constructed for the senior center, which will be 10,000 square <br /> feet of new space and 5,000 square feet at the SportsPlex. There is an additional 5,000 square <br /> feet for the Adult Day Health program. There is also 11,000 square feet of renovation in the <br /> SportsPlex to accommodate its growth space and give it back some space that is being taken <br /> for the senior center. <br /> d) Durham Technical Community College Satellite Campus Development <br /> Durham Tech is completed and the grand opening will be sometime during the first part of <br /> May. The intent is to have continuing education classes first and then curriculum in the fall. <br /> Regarding the 911 center, it should be open sometime in the fall. <br /> 5. Update on the County's Plans for Consolidating or Reconfiguring Services in <br /> Hillsborough. <br /> Eric Hallman asked about any plans for county buildings on the east side of Churton <br /> Street. Pam Jones said that the County will look at the options for divesting when the court <br /> moves to the justice facility. <br /> Michael Gering asked about a Heritage Center and Pam Jones said that there have <br /> been discussions about this in two locations. <br /> Michael Gering asked about the Whitted building space across from the Whitted <br /> Building. He said that the expectation of the neighborhood is that something better could be <br /> done for this area. Pam Jones said that there has not been anything submitted to the Board. <br /> Michael Gering said that this has been a sore spot for six years. Some people have <br /> suggested a small park or the Heritage Center. Pam Jones said that she has not perceived the <br /> Heritage Center on this site. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that he would like to challenge the Hillsborough Arts Commission and <br /> Orange County's Arts Commission to come up with some kind of transitional art/sculpture use of <br /> that open space. <br /> Michael Gering suggested making a formal request to the arts councils. <br /> Mayor Stevens said that he desires for the Whitted Building to continue to provide use <br /> and services to residents. He agreed with the public art aspect and said that, as part of the <br /> Town Board's retreat, they discussed working public art into facilities. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the County Commissioners have not talked formally <br /> about this property, and she would like to have this discussion. She asked what the Town's <br /> interest might be in the Whitted Building. <br /> Michael Gering said that the Town has not had this discussion either. <br /> Mayor Stevens said that it has been raised up by the arts community, particularly as a <br /> performing arts area. <br /> Chair Jacobs suggested sticking with the notion of the parcel across the street for now. <br /> He suggested asking the staffs to work out a motion for each board to engage the two arts <br /> groups to come back with a proposal for a temporary arts use for this space. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that he would hesitate calling it temporary, because once an <br /> arts space is created, it will be permanent. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that if it is not going to be temporary, then she wants to talk <br /> about the long-term plan for the building and the parking lots. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that the two staffs could get together and look at the options. <br /> Mayor Stevens said that with all of this construction, there have been questions about <br /> archeology. He appreciates the responsiveness of the County staff in answering questions. <br /> Brian Lowen asked about the use of the old Wal-Mart. Pam Jones said that the Board <br /> has discussed several options, such as Social Services using this space. <br />