Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
2 | P a g e C H O C V B B O D M e e t i n g F e b r u a r y 1 9 , 2 0 20 <br /> <br />have large expenses in some areas, such as office supplies, and sees this as an indication of good fiscal management and <br />responsibility. <br />Lastly, Commissioner Bedford mentioned that the Town of Chapel Hill’s financials were released and the Visitors Bureau <br />collected an additional $174,000 as part of our 2018-2019 performance agreement in which we received 50% of their <br />occupancy taxes collected over $1,000,000.00 <br /> <br />Executive Director’s Report <br />Laurie Paolicelli advised that she has been having discussions with Randi Emmerman, owner of Film Fest 919 about a <br />possible $25,000 sponsorship. Laurie feels it would not be effective, from a marketing point-of-view, unless Visit Chapel <br />Hill is part of the logo. Laurie reviewed the sponsorship information covered in the Film Fest 919 handout. Anthony <br />Carey motioned to approve the Visitors Bureau sponsorship of $25,000 to Film Fest 919. Libbie seconded the motion. <br />The motion was passed unanimously. <br />Laurie Paolicelli shared that the lease for the Visitors Bureau new location at 318 W. Franklin St. has been approved by <br />the Board of County Commissioners and so is public record and is signed. The architect, Josh Gurlitz, has also been <br />approved and a contract is signed. <br />Laurie Paolicelli updated the Board on her recent public support of the Town of Chapel Hill’s consideration of using the <br />American Legion site for amateur sports. The town held a public hearing in early February to invite citizen comments on <br />potential uses of this site. Paolicelli spoke in favor of such a site, giving details from a 2017 feasibility study the Visitors <br />Bureau Board commissioned to look at new visitor oriented development in Orange County for the purpose of driving <br />new tourism, hotel room nights and economic impact to Orange County. Supporters of this study included Carrboro <br />Hotel developer, Manish Atma, Anthony Carey, Mark Sherburne and many other Orange County hotel general <br />managers. <br />The results showed that there is moderate to high unmet demand for: <br /> Multi-component indoor amateur sports facility positioned to compete for non-local tournaments and local <br />users. <br /> Assumed publicly-owned, privately-managed. <br /> Fits well within the “brand” and amenity infrastructure that exists in Chapel Hill/Orange County. <br /> High economic impact opportunity. <br /> Opportunity to alleviate pressure on area school gymnasiums with one centralized facility to accommodate <br />community demand. <br /> Presence of nearby hotel and other visitor industry infrastructure may make location more appealing to nonlocal <br />event/tournament organizers. <br /> <br />Recommended facility include: <br /> 8 hardwood courts (8 basketball or 16 volleyball) + indoor turf component. <br /> Bleachers, netting, equipment, scoreboards, and other standard amenities. <br /> Retail, pro shop, concessions. <br /> 140,000 GSF site/location. <br /> 3.5 acres (building) + 6.5 acres (surface parking) = 10.0 acres. <br /> Preferred location would be near UNC campus. <br /> <br />Paolicelli said the town was committed to several public hearings and continued study of affordable housing needs on <br />said site and/or development opportunities. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />DocuSign Envelope ID: A3146F50-E28D-4A4E-B9E4-E9C35AD5C8AA