Orange County NC Website
Mark Sherburne shared that 2017 Commencement Weekend was very successful with thousands of people passing <br />through the Carolina Inn during the three day weekend. They are sold out for Commencement 2018. Fridays on the <br />Front Porch has begun with some new bands this year. As a part of the university, they too are in the middle of budget <br />season. <br />Kayla Austin reported from the NCHSAA that state sports championships are in full swing. Track and Field, Tennis and <br />Lacrosse. Soccer, with Carrboro High in the finals, baseball and softball are coming up. They have just signed a contract <br />with Duke for Wallace Wade Stadium to host some of the football playoffs in the fall so that all game will be at Wake <br />Forest, Duke, State or UNC next year. <br />Lydia Lavelle reported that Carrboro is working on passing their budget while keeping an eye on the General Assembly <br />to see what they do and how it may impact them. Carrboro is in the midst of Bike Month which will include Bike Ride <br />with the Mayor which will leave from the Carrboro Town Hall at 8:30 am on Wednesday, May 31, 2107. Starting May <br />26, for four Friday nights, the town will host the Freight Train Blues event. <br />Lee Storrow reported that his Old Town Hall committee had their last meeting on May 22, 2017 and will present their <br />report to the Chapel Hill Town Council on June 26, 2017. The charge to this committee was to look at: does it work to <br />have a visitor's center and a community history center /historic cultural hub in the Old Town Hall. The general <br />consciences is that they think it works but that there are many limitations. When asking for public comment on the use <br />of the space it has become apparent that using the space for the arts is of great interest. Penny Rich interjected that the <br />space was only 900 square feet and that it has been renovated and repurposed several times. The town is not <br />interested in selling the property. He recommended that the board meet to decide how it feels about this possible <br />move and Chair Waldorf agreed. Chair Waldorf also wondered why we would limit our discussion to that one building. <br />Anthony Carey also stated that Commencement weekend was a great success and he was happy to see that new hotel <br />rooms in the County did not water down their occupancy levels. He is looking forward to being back on the board and <br />working with other General Managers to keep the Chapel Hill brand and rate integrity strong. <br />Aaron Bachenheimer pointed out that graduation has just passed and there are still lots of people in town and that <br />camps and orientation will begin very soon. The University is wrapping up this fiscal year and planning for the next. <br />Tim Hoke reported that the Carolina Inn has a call out for art that they are promoting throughout the state. <br />Mark Bell noted that they are in the midst of receiving grants requests in the town of Hillsborough for tourism dollars. <br />Last Fridays has begun, their July 4th celebration will be on Sunday, July 2nd this year. Construction on Churton St. will <br />continue throughout the summer. <br />Jeff Strickler shared that The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough has met to review the past year and plan the one coming <br />up. The UNC Health Care hospital will be adding a perioperative tower with ground breaking taking place in the next <br />two years. It will be a nine story building housing all of their operating rooms. <br />Kim Tesoro with the Hillsborough /Orange County Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Hillsborough Tourism Board, <br />reported on the upgrades to Churton St. <br />Chair Waldorf gave each board member a framed print entitled Heart of Orange County by textile artist Elaine O'Neal. <br />The gift was a thank you from the Orange County Board of County Commissions for their volunteer service. <br />31 Page C11OCVB 130D Meeting May 24, 20 '1.7 <br />