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Laurie mentioned that last time she presented building options, including the Aveda building, Mark Sherburne had sent <br /> a letter stating what good is a Welcome Center if you do not have any place for your guests to park? So , the County <br /> went back and said we really do need parking here . Travis Myren worked with Steve Arndt and they have been very, <br /> very, helpful <br /> Pam Hemminger shared a comment that the Town is very excited about the positioning of the Visitors Center in the <br /> CholaNad building because we can be a very welcoming spot . The number one complaints the Town gets is from the <br /> towing situation there . There currently is not an area to park in order to do things near there . The Town also hears that <br /> in our current location visitors do not know where we are, they cannot find us and are not sure they can park . <br /> Laurie shared that she and Tanya Moore, who is overseeing the new UNC Visitors Center, have a collaborative <br /> relationship, sharing our guides and other information and the feeling is with UNC Visitors Center on the East end and <br /> the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau on the West end of Franklin . <br /> Laurie commented that this building has an outdoor patio space in which visitors can sit, linger, and talk. The <br /> accessibility is phenomenal . Also, you may remember when it was the Trail Shop there is all this natural light . An early <br /> plan right now is for us to collaborate with Orange County Parks and Recreation to use the wall space for maps of all the <br /> local trails . That is the number one request we get, "Where can I go and explore this green area ?" We are going to be <br /> moving into more functional maps, trails, helpful information for visitors, accessibility, and parking . It really is a lovely <br /> building and that is where we stand . <br /> Annette Stone asked Matt Gladdek if he is aware of what is the plan for the old Mellow Mushroom location since that <br /> was the biggest conflict around parking. Matt responded that the building is up for lease but the biggest conflict around <br /> predatory parking was , during non - peak times, people would park and try to run in and do something that only takes a <br /> few minutes and within a few minutes they would have a boot on their car and it would cost them $ 300 . Matt is not <br /> aware that it was a major conflict during peak lunch hours . He is optimistic that someone parking there for five or ten <br /> minutes at two o' clock in the afternoon is not going to hurt anyone . It will be a culture shift . A gentle reminder on <br /> someone' s windshield vs . a $ 300 boot . <br /> There was a question about the length of the lease . Laurie responded she believes it is a five -year lease . <br /> Laurie wrapped -up the discussion stating that Joe Coates has been in the community a long time . He graduated in 1972 <br /> from Duke . He knows Orange County very well and his wife runs a very successful school for autistic children in Durham . <br /> They have been very involved in Orange and Durham . He has been terrific to work with . You will be hearing more about <br /> our relocation from the County Commissioners meeting . <br /> Tanya Moore asked about the process for up fitting and whether we get to pick who we work with on design , layout, <br /> look and feel ? Laurie explained it is in partnership with our Facility Management Director, Steve Arndt and that there <br /> are certain specs we have to maintain but we do have flexibility in design and whatnot . The space will be totally <br /> reimagined as it was fifteen years ago for a cozy, vintage welcome in keeping with the building. In our new location , we <br /> will be moving to more touch , tactical , maps, guides, etc . We will be doing less print distribution because our visitors are <br /> not taking as much print . It is definitely time to get with the time . Clean had done a design on a kind of building wrap <br /> we may revisit . <br /> Laurie expressed one area of concern . If there is flooding on Franklin , who do we work with as the Department of <br /> Transportation is responsible for Franklin St . but the Town controls Rosemary St . behind us because it is a State <br /> Highway ? <br /> Penny asked if we will keep the conference room ? Yes . She then asked how complicated getting rid of the kitchen area <br /> will be . Laurie responded that CholaNad and Joe Coates will handle all that . Lastly, Penny asked how many of the <br /> seventeen parking spots will be used by staff during the day? Laurie responded that we have six staff members . <br /> 3 Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting January 15 2020 <br />