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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: October 15, 2019 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-b <br /> SUBJECT: Authorization to Proceed with Phase 1 of the Proposed Eno River Mill Arts <br /> Project and Associated Lease Agreement with Hedgehog Holdings <br /> DEPARTMENT: Orange County Arts <br /> Commission <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Eno River Arts Mill Project Outline Katie Murray, 919-245-2335 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive information on the proposed Eno River Mill Arts Project and approve the <br /> Orange County Arts Commission and staff moving forward with Phase 1 of the Project by <br /> authorizing the Manager to sign a lease agreement with Hedgehog Holdings for artist studio <br /> space at the Eno River Mill in Hillsborough. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) has identified a lack of <br /> infrastructure and equitable access as the two primary barriers for a healthy creative ecosystem <br /> for Orange County artists and residents. By working in partnership with the Gold Family and its <br /> partner, Hedgehog Holdings, the OCAC seeks to activate Hillsborough's historic Eno River Mill <br /> through the arts, providing critically needed space for the creative community, as well as <br /> generating economic impact for the surrounding area. <br /> The mill, located in West Hillsborough along the Eno River, opened as a yarn mill in 1897 and <br /> operated until 1984. It was bought by the Gold Family in 1988. Hedgehog Holdings became <br /> managing partner in 2015. Currently, it houses Weaver Street Market's commissary, the <br /> Expedition School, The Cloth Room Events Space and several small businesses. However, it <br /> has vast amounts of raw, vacant space that would be perfect for the visual and performing arts. <br /> The project is proposed to move forward in three phases, beginning with establishing thirteen <br /> (13) move-in-ready artist studio spaces in Phase 1, and eventually providing space in Phases 2 <br /> and 3 for additional programs. Phase 1 and the overall project will increase arts access for <br /> residents regardless of socio-economic status, while transforming the Mill into an arts <br /> destination and economic asset for the Town of Hillsborough and the County. Approval to move <br /> forward with Phase 1 and the lease agreement with Hedgehog Holdings will provide thirteen <br /> (13) affordable artist studio spaces for local visual artists. <br /> Pending Board approval, staff will develop a press release and pursue other opportunities to <br /> publicize the project, and specifically the availability of the thirteen (13) artist studio spaces. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: This financial risk for Phase 1 is low. The goal will be to sub-lease all <br /> thirteen (13) artist studio spaces to help cover the County's costs. However, the OCAC has <br /> conservatively factored vacant spaces into the financial forecast. If three spaces remain vacant <br />