Agenda 10-19-2021; 8-g - Approval of a Lease for the Historic Norwood Law Office – 135 Court St., Hillsborough, to the Preservation Fund of Hillsborough, Inc.

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 19, 2021 Action Agenda Item No. 8-g SUBJECT: Approval of a Lease for the Historic Norwood Law Office — 135 Court St., Hillsborough, to the Preservation Fund of Hillsborough, Inc. DEPARTMENT: Asset Management Services Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation (DEAPR) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1) Site Illustration Alan Dorman, AMS Assistant Director, 2) Lease Agreement 919-245-2627 3) Resolution Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR, 919-245-2517 PURPOSE: To: 1) Approve a three-year lease agreement with the Preservation Fund of Hillsborough, Inc., for the historic Norwood Law Office, built c. 1830. The building consists of a single historic exhibit room of approximately 270 square feet, located at 135 Court Street; and 2) Authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution for Lease, and the Manager to sign the Lease Agreement upon final review by the County Attorney. BACKGROUND: The Preservation Fund of Hillsborough, Inc. (Preservation Fund), a non-profit historic preservation organization, has partnered with Orange County since the 1990s to restore the Norwood Law Office and has furnished it as a historic museum room to depict a typical mid- 19t" century law office. The Preservation Fund raised all funds required for the major restoration of the structure in 1997 to ensure that Orange County's only surviving brick law office was preserved at no cost to the County. Since then the Preservation Fund has worked cooperatively with local historical groups to open the Norwood Law Office to the public for special events and during regular walking tours of the downtown area. The building does not have heating or air conditioning, nor does it have any restroom facilities. In 2018, the Preservation Fund provided the County with additional funding to pay for the restoration of the exterior brickwork. The purpose of this lease is to formalize this long-term partnership between the County and the Preservation Fund. The building will continue to be opened for tours and special events. The Lease Agreement contemplates a three-year period beginning November 1, 2021 and ending October 31, 2024, with the option to renew for an additional three-year term. The Preservation Fund will be responsible for maintaining the required liability insurance and will perform additional interior restoration work as needed, under County supervision. The Lease Agreement includes language that addresses the possibility of future major redevelopment of the former jail property.