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2 <br />Attorney occupied offices on the lower floor until this past year when he relinquished. the area, <br />because it no longer was needed. The Franklin Street Teen Center first obtained permissipn to <br />use an area on the lower floor in 1984 and has operated programs in the space continuously since <br />that date. The Town uses areas on the lower floor for storage of records. <br />The small plaza in front of the Old Post Office is a traditional gathering place for citizens, a site <br />used for peaceful assembly in support of or in opposition to a multitude of causes and issues. <br />The rear of the building now is utilized for vehicle access, parking, and refuse collection <br />equipment; .there also is a small lawn with a magnolia tree. <br />BACKGROUND <br />In conducting its work, the Committee on the Old Post Office inspected the site, met with <br />representatives of the District Court, the U.S. Postal Service and the Teen Center, and reviewed <br />relevant records and reports. The Committee concluded that the building and site is a valuable <br />asset that should be preserved and enhanced as a community gathering place and as a useful <br />community facility. <br />On December 11, 2000, the Committee presented a report to the Town Council, a copy of which <br />is attached. The Town Council subsequently adopted a Resolution that, among other things: _ <br />• Affirms the Council's intent to preserve and maintain the Old Post Office building as an <br />important community asset. <br />• States the Council's desire to maintain a U.S. Postal Service office in the building. <br />• Provides for continued use of space by the Franklin Street Teen Center. <br />• Authorizes development of a small space as a Welcome Center, to be operated by the <br />Chapel Hill Downtown Commission. , . <br />• Calls for continued use of the building by the District Court. <br />DISTRICT COURT FACILITIES <br />Chief District Court Judge roseph Moody Buckner reports that the court room and other facilities <br />provided at the Old Post Office building continue to be of value to the Courts. Cases regularly <br />scheduled in Chapel Hill include traffic offenses, minor crimes, small claims, domestic disputes, <br />and civil azbitrations. We believe that having court operations in Chapel Hill is convenient for. <br />Chapel Hill citizens and for all those who have business with the courts, including our police <br />officers and local attorneys. <br />We understand that according to North Cazolina General Statutes, counties have primary <br />responsibility for providing courtrooms and related judicial facilities. A municipality may <br />provide court facilities with the approval of the .Administrative Office of the Courts, after <br />