Agenda - 05-04-2004-5m - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

2 Much of the discussion about the Laws House regards striking a balance between 1) preserving a building that is representative of Orange County's architectural heritage, and 2) maintaining reasonable expenses for a park project that has exceeded budget estimates, and 3) determining the homestead's long-term potential contribution, if any, to the park,. On March 17~h, after collecting approximate cost estimates for most of the seven options, Orange County staff walked through the house with the County Manager for a final evaluation of the building. Based on this site visit, ERCD staff recommends that the Commissioners pursue Option #5 and aesthetically stabilize the house for the short term, using funding that will not take away from park facilities. This stabilization option will allow for the house to be made presentable for the park opening and provide the Commissioners the opportunity to consider all of the options far the building in a timely manner within the next year. Durham County shares concerns over the appearance of the house, particularly during the park opening, and about how the house would be integrated into the park design. The Durham County approved development budget for the park allocates sufficient funding for deconstruction of the house. Durham staff has indicated a willingness for their portion of the deconstruction expense ($6,500) to be used towards any stabilization efforts. Any expenses beyond this related to the Laws House stabilization, renovation, or maintenance would be the responsibility of Orange County alone. The Little River Park Advisory Committee did not take a position on use of the Laws House. Orange County staff recognizes that the Laws House is a simple vernacular farmhouse, one of many constructed throughout the County. However, this once ubiquitous house form is disappearing from the viral landscape at an increasing rate. Orange County ERCD staff believes that the Laws House can contribute to the Little River Park and Natural Area, if vat as an integral part of the park design, then as a backdrop to the overall rural atmosphere and a visual reminder of the past agricultural use, and would like to preserve the option to pursue the reuse of the house, if it proves to be economically feasible. One of the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) items coming before the Board in future months will involve a comprehensive look at building renovation and stabilization at new County-owned sites. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of Option #5 (stabilization) is approximately $12,000 to $15,000. A portion of this cost may be funded by Durham County, pending further discussion. A summary of costs associated with stabilization is included as Attachment 3. It is proposed that these funds be appropriated from the Lands Legacy Opportunities Fund, as it is a stabilization of property acquired through Lands Legacy. A budget amendment would be presented at a subsequent meeting toward this end. For future projects, the potential for a more permanent funding source and comprehensive assessment process for building stabilization may be addressed during CIP discussions this spring. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board, in light of the short timeframe between now and park opening, approve the expenditure of up to $15,000 for Option #5 -stabilizing the Laws House prior to the opening of the Little River Park. The Board may wish to consider the larger context of building disposition as part of CIP discussions later this spring.