Orange County NC Website
29 <br /> <br />the Forest Ridge subdivision regarding the sidewalk expansion connecting the Sportsplex <br />property to the Forest Ridge subdivision. <br /> <br />Facility Accessibility and Safety Upgrades: <br />In FY2017-18 this project included installing security cameras at multiple facilities across the <br />County. All the cameras planned for installation in FY2017-18 have been installed and are <br />operational. The facilities that have new cameras include Efland Cheeks Community Center, <br />Rogers Road Community Center, Court Street Annex, Historic Courthouse, and the Orange <br />County Fuel Station. This project is complete. <br /> <br />Passmore Center Expansion: <br />This project is currently under construction and is anticipated to be complete in the late <br />summer of 2018. Site work is largely complete and, like the Sportsplex Fieldhouse, has <br />endured wet winter weather challenges. The building construction is anticipated to start late <br />spring. <br /> <br />Southern Campus Expansion: <br />The Board of County Commissioners awarded a professional services agreement with Smith <br />Sinnett Architecture on November 2, 2017. Both phases of this project are currently in the <br />schematic design phase. Schematic design includes programming, conceptual design, as well <br />as thorough technical review by the Town of Chapel Hill planning staff (as governed by the <br />master plan special use permit). The Board of Orange County Commissioners will review this <br />schematic design in June, 2018. Development design and construction documents for Phase 1 <br />(Seymour Center expansion, roadway straightening, and additional Seymour Center parking) <br />are anticipated to be complete in the winter of 2018. Construction of Phase 1 is anticipated to <br />be complete is the late winter 2020. Phase 2 construction (meeting facility, Health and Dental <br />Clinic, Department of Social Services construction) is anticipated to start and finish <br />approximately nine months behind Phase 1 or in the late fall 2020. <br /> <br />Commissioner Jacobs referred to the Sportsplex, and said he saw a document stating <br />that the Town of Hillsborough did not require the developer of Forrest Ridge to provide a <br />sidewalk, and was trying to extort it from the County. He asked if there is an update on this <br />issue. <br />Jeff Thompson said staff worked with the Forest Ridge group, who is interested in a <br />connection, and the County is interested in a sidewalk. He said staff has arranged for Forrest <br />Ridge to pay for the area on its side of Highway 70, and the crossing over to connect to the <br />sidewalk on the County’s side of the facility. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked if that is different from what the Town of Hillsborough <br />originally requested. <br />Jeff Thompson said the request came from Forrest Ridge. He said a sidewalk had <br />been planned, but DOT was contemplating widening highway 70, which put the sidewalk on <br />hold. He said the DOT widening issue was lifted at the same time that Forrest Ridge <br />requested a connection. He said Hillsborough helped with these negotiations. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked if DOT will allow a crosswalk. <br />Jeff Thompson said yes, and it is on the Forrest Ridge component of the work. He said <br />it is a stamped crosswalk, and it does not have any other than signage, but it will be a safe <br />crosswalk. <br />Commissioner Rich asked if vehicles will know to stop for pedestrians at the crosswalk.