Agenda 03-21-2017 - 6-a - Environmental & Agricultural Center - Visioning Study Update and Development Options

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