Agenda - 03-20-2001-6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Z TO: Board of County Commissioners of Orange County FROM: Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Chapel Hill Represented by the Council Committee on the Old Post Office: Council Member Kevin Foy, Chair Mayor pro tem Lee Pavao Council Member Joyce Brown , Council Member Pat Evans SUBJECT: Request for Long-Term Use Plan for Court Facilities at the Old Post Office in Chapel Hill DATE: March 20, 2001 PURPOSE The primary purpose of this memorandum is to request that the Baird of County Commissioners authorize appropriate County officials to collaborate with representatives of the Tawn of Chapel Hill and representatives of the District Court of the State of North Carolina in joint development of a long-term use plan for Court facilities at the Old Post Office in downtown Chapel Hill. INTRODUCTION The Committee on the Old Post Office was appointed by the Town Council to develop proposals for the preservation, enhancement and future use of this valuable public building. The Old Post Office building, located in the heart of the downtown at the corner of East Franklin and Henderson Streets, was constructed in 1937. It is a 17,700 gross square foot, two-story structure with brick and limestone walls set on a concrete foundation. The building served as the main Chapel Hill Post Office until 1979, when it was acquired by the Town for a payment of $250,000 and a 25-yeaz no-cost lease to the Postal Service of about 3,000 squaze feet of space and a limited azea for vehicle access and pazking. The main-floor area leased to the Postal Service has been in continuous use for retail customer service since 1979. The District Court of the State of North Cazolina has made continuous use of the main-floor courtroom and related office and work facilities since 1979. The District