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further expansion for up to a decade, the group agreed that the long-term need still exists and <br />that a proactive approach to development was critical. <br />Hillsborough Justice Facilities Campus Master Plan <br />In 1999, the County Commissioners commissioned Freeman-White Architects, Charlotte to <br />produce a site plan that reflected the total build-out capability of the site. The results of this <br />report, presented in April 2000, outlined two options, one of which would allow approximately <br />96,000 additional square feet of building (Option A), the other approximately 105,600 square <br />feet (Option B). It is important to note that the study defined the scope of the master plan site to <br />be only the area between the Government Services Center to the east, the Courthouse to the <br />west, Margaret Lane to the north and the edge of the existing parking lot to the south. Each <br />option defined building construction in four phases. Option A incorporated the parking deck into <br />the courthouse construction, while Option B developed a 5 level free-standing parking structure <br />in the approximate location of the existing SherifF's Department. <br />At the request of the County Commissioners, the Master Plan was also presented to the Town <br />of Hillsborough Commissioners in June 2000. Concerns raised by both Boards were similar, <br />examples of which include the following: <br />• Parking sufficiency and location; <br />• Concern about losing the vista from Margaret Lane into River Park; and <br />• Scale of the proposed buildings in relation to the existing structure; and <br />• Farmer's Market location. <br />In an effort to further clarify the challenges associated with development of a court facility on <br />Margaret Lane, two Commissioners, two Judges and County staff met with representatives from <br />the Town of Hillsborough, the Historic Alliance, the Tourism -Board and local citizenry. While <br />there is general consensus that development can occur on the site, there is significant concern <br />that it be done in a manner that embraces a strong sensitivity to historical context of the <br />community as well as the resulting environmental impacts. These concerns will be reflected in <br />the criteria used in the selection of a design firm. <br />Pro osed Ex ansion of the Master Plan <br />Since the. completion of this Master Plan, the Board has received recommendations regarding <br />future development of County Government buildings in the immediate vicinity. Several issues <br />were raised during those discussions, including the potential that a parking deck could be <br />located closer to the Government Services Center rather than being built as part of the <br />Courthouse Project. Regardless of whether that should be the case, it is a forgone conclusion <br />that the design outcome for both facilities will tae more effective if their needs are considered in <br />tandem. For example: <br />• The facilities will have similar parking needs; <br />•. Pedestrian and Vehicular circulation from one site to the other should be considered; <br />• Should the Board choose to site a Farmer's Market on this site, it should be sited with <br />considerations of both facilities in mind. <br />Because of the close interaction of the two potential expansions in the Downtown Hillsborough <br />area, it is recommended that the scope of work for architectural services for the Courthouse <br />design be expanded to integrate all County land that lies: <br />• South of Margaret Lane. <br />• East of Churton Street <br />