Agenda - 11-09-2006-1c - Laserfiche WebLink

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deck area as performance space. Approximately $150,000 was allocated to the project to fund upfitting the house for handicapped access, developing restroom facilities to meet public building standards, constructing the deck and basically getting the house stabilized to usable condition. This concept was not endorsed during the study deliberations by the Board. Human Services Departments have submitted a proposal to develop the house for use as Family Life Center that would provide family-friendly meeting or counseling space for human services clients. Although their proposal identified uses for the kitchen in the residence, the study group recommends that kitchen requirements be met by collaborating with the Department on Aging for use of the commercial kitchen with demonstration area, in the Seymour Senior Center, almost directly across the street from the house. - No cost estimate was provided for the upfit of the facility for this purpose. As recently as October 17, 2006 the Board discussed the possibility of allowing the residence to be.moved to another location, where it could be used to provide affordable housing or renovating the house to serve as an office for lFC should a men's residential shelter be located at the homestead site. Removing the house would allow a bigger building footprint for future development. A brief analysis of the condition of the structure is forth- coming in a report prepared by a team of employees from Public Works, Building Inspections and the County Engineering office. Options include any one of those previously mentioned. The Parks and Recreation administrative staff, parks operations base staff and the Environment Resource Conservation Department may locate to a County -owned building on Valley Forge Road during an interim period. However, the long term plans, as defined in the Parks Strategic Plan, would construct the necessary facilities at the Blackwood Farm on Highway 86 and New Hope Church Road between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. This site is also proposed for the long -term site of the Arts Commission offices and studio space. Update: Recommendations have been modified to no longer co- locate either ERCD or the Arts Commission with the Recreation and Parks function. ERCD has previously indicated a desire to re- locate departmental operations to the Julia Blackwood property on Millhouse Road. Mrs. Blackwood is in the process of vacating the house so the house has not been fully investigated for needed upgrades for use as office space. That work can be accomplished within the next several weeks. XIV