Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
14 <br /> 8. Reports <br /> a. Veterans Memorial Committee Progress Report <br /> The Board received a report from the Veterans Memorial Committee, and <br /> provided feedback to the group. <br /> Jeff Thompson, Asset Management Services Director, recognized members of <br /> the Veterans Memorial Committee and Veterans in the audience. <br /> Jeff Thompson reviewed the background information. <br /> BACKGROUND: On May 5, 2015 the Board of Orange County Commissioners <br /> approved in principle the siting of a future Veterans Memorial upon the Southern <br /> Campus in accordance with the recently approved Campus Master Plan and authorized <br /> the Manager and staff to participate in the ongoing project planning process. Over the <br /> past several months, the Committee has made progress in conceptual design efforts as <br /> well as initial fundraising initiatives. Members of the Committee will provide a progress <br /> update for the Board and solicit feedback for the process. Members of the Committee <br /> will be available on the proposed site of the Memorial prior to the Board meeting to visit <br /> with members of the public and the Board. <br /> Jim Merritt, co-chair of the Veterans Memorial Committee, thanked Orange <br /> County Commissioners Price and Jacobs for bringing this idea to them, and also <br /> Orange County staff and committee members for working on this proposed memorial. <br /> David Swanson, Landscape Architect, walked the Board through the design, <br /> which will work with the natural surroundings of the property. He said the site is beside <br /> the Southern Human Services Center. He reviewed several slides containing <br /> photographs. He said the site is accommodated with handicapped parking, and has 4 <br /> outdoor rooms, each with a theme. He said local building materials will be used in <br /> several elements of the construction. <br /> Commissioner Price acknowledged others that had already left the meeting. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said there was some discussion of having a dedication <br /> ceremony for the land, on Friday 11/11/16 at 11:00 a.m., and suggested inviting the <br /> class from Stanback Middle School, who contributed to the design process. <br /> Commissioner Price said the dedication will take place on November 11 at 11:00 <br /> a.m. She said this will be to dedicate the land and the groundbreaking will take place <br /> at a later date. <br /> Commissioner Rich said this idea was born when she was on the Chapel Hill <br /> Council in 2009. She she said the plans are exciting and the site is a peaceful place. <br /> She expressed support for promoting any fundraising efforts. <br /> A member of the committee said fundraising will begin after this evening, with <br /> the Board's approval. <br /> Chair McKee said the Board offers its full support of fundraising efforts. <br /> Commissioner Price said this is Orange County's memorial in Chapel Hill, and it <br /> has been a collaborative effort by all. <br /> 9. County Manager's Report <br />