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21 <br /> • Economic Development-$145,000 Water and Sewer Projects <br /> The Board expressed interest in defining economic development objectives and increasing the number <br /> of living wage job opportunities in the County through economic development. The County has <br /> previously appropriated over $2.3 million to build out water and sewer infrastructure in the economic <br /> development districts to stimulate commercial and industrial development and job creation. The <br /> recommended CIP for FY2016-17 adds $120,000 to the Eno Economic Development District project for <br /> design and possible easement acquisition and provides $25,000 to purchase right-of-way access in the <br /> Buckhorn Economic Development District to make it more accessible to high capacity transportation <br /> corridors. <br /> • Facility Accessibility and Security Improvements-$190,000 <br /> One component of the Space Study Work Group was focused on facility accessibility for people with <br /> disabilities. The CIP recommends $190,000 in FY 2016-17 to fund significant accessibility improvements <br /> at the Whitted facility, the historic Courthouse, and security access doors throughout the County. The <br /> other accessibility improvements identified by the study do not meet the dollar threshold to be included <br /> in the CIP. Those improvements will be accomplished using operating budget resources. <br /> • Emergency Medical Services(EMS)Substation Colocation-$500,000 <br /> The Board has encouraged intergovernmental cooperation with our municipal partners. The FY2016-17 <br /> CIP recommends working with the Town of Chapel Hill to collocate an EMS substation with one of the <br /> Town's fire stations. The colocation opportunity reduces the initial cost of construction and promotes <br /> operating efficiency through the use of shared community space. The new facility would be located on <br /> Hamilton Road in the Glen Lennox area of Chapel Hill which provides ready access to a main <br /> transportation corridor and an area of dense population and development. The ambulance that would <br /> be located in this facility is currently staged out of a parking lot which lacks protection for the vehicle <br /> and sleeping quarters for staff. <br /> Parks, Open Space,and Trail Development <br /> The Board has consistently expressed support for parks, open space, and trail development that preserve <br /> natural areas of the County and promote nature activities for County residents. This support is represented by <br /> the Parks and Open Space Master Plan as well as the master plans that have been adopted for each individual <br /> park property. The FY2016-17 CIP recommends funding for the following projects. <br /> • Blackwood Farm Park-$1.26 million <br /> The master plan for Blackwood Farm Park highlights the historical significance of the agricultural <br /> activities that occurred there. The master plan also includes picnic shelters, trails, an amphitheater, and <br /> large open play fields. Funding recommended for FY2016-17 would improve access to the park from <br /> Highway 86 by installing a turn lane, improve the entrance to the park, and construct more parking. <br /> • Cedar Grove Park—Phase II -$60,000 <br /> Cedar Grove Park includes baseball/softball fields as well as basketball courts. The FY2016-17 <br /> appropriation would fund renovating and replacing the aging basketball courts. <br /> Page 14 <br />