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2 <br /> BACKGROUND: There are three main areas of pertinent background information to provide <br /> context for this development decision. <br /> 1.) Blackwood Farm Master Plan / Parks Operation Base <br /> On March 3, 2011, the BOCC adopted the Blackwood Farm Park Master Plan, which included <br /> plans for a constructing a new DEAPR compound which included a new Parks Operation Base. <br /> During the FY2012-13 Capital Investment Planning process, the BOCC discussed not including <br /> the EAC as part of the Board Adopted Blackwood Farm Park Master Plan. The Parks Operation <br /> Base is currently contemplated in the FY18-19 CIP to be located Blackwood Farm. <br /> 2.) Revere Rd EAC / HH Architecture Preliminary Study <br /> The Environment and Agricultural ("EAC") facility currently houses the Department of <br /> Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation ("DEAPR") administrative and agricultural <br /> services offices, Soil & Water, Cooperative Extension, USDA Rural Development, the Farm <br /> Services Administration, and climate controlled County storage on a 3.84 acre parcel that also <br /> houses Emergency Services Station # 1, and a freestanding 1,200 square foot storage facility. <br /> The EAC building and associated parking represents approximately 2.25 acres of this site. <br /> In 2013, funds to maintain the facility roof, HVAC, and parking areas of the EAC was removed <br /> from year 5 (2018) of the FY2013-2018 Capital Investment Plan ("CIP") with the idea that this <br /> facility would be renovated or replaced. <br /> The Board had considered re-purposing the Government Services Annex facility (208 S. <br /> Cameron Street, Hillsborough) as a renovated EAC facility, and re-locating the Board of <br /> Elections offices into the under-utilized lower level of the Link Government Services Facility. <br /> After engaging a professional designer to study these potential re-purposed spaces, the <br /> initiatives were rejected by the Board in the spring of 20132. This decision centered on the need <br /> for the EAC to be located on the periphery of Hillsborough and the fact that the EAC customer <br /> base was satisfied with its Revere Road location for the agricultural community. <br /> As part of the Board's decision, they directed County staff to complete a comprehensive <br /> physical assessment analysis of County facilities as well as to create a Space Study Work <br /> Group3 to study the entirety of County facilities and assist in informing ongoing Capital and <br /> Operating budget processes. <br /> In June of 2015, the Board appropriated design and due diligence funds as part of the FY2015- <br /> 16 plan for a new or renovated EAC on its existing and desired Revere Road site. In April of <br /> 2016, the Board authorized the Manager to engage HH Architecture of Raleigh, NC as the <br /> designer for the Environmental and Agricultural Center project. The initial vision planning and <br /> comprehensive stakeholder input sessions were conducted in the summer and early fall of <br /> 2016. The Designer and its sub-consultants analyzed the facility and site, and met extensively <br /> with County Commissioners, staff, and stakeholders in developing its conclusions. The <br /> ' FY2013-2018 BOCC Adopted Capital Investment Plan,page 30. <br /> 2 Conceptual Facilities Use Analysis and Presentation,2/12/13 BOCC Work Session,Item#2. <br /> 3 Physical Assessment Report, 11/12/13 BOCC Work Session Item#3;Orange County Space Study <br /> Work Group Report,April 9,2015 BOCC Budget Work Session,Item#2. <br />