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10 <br /> • When completed, the Historic Resources Book will have a positive impact on cultural <br /> resource and heritage tourism in the county. The promotion and sales of the new book can <br /> be used to highlight our many historic resources and sites of cultural significance. <br /> Goal Five: Create, preserve, and protect a natural environment that includes clean water, <br /> clean air, wildlife, important natural lands and sustainable energy for present and future <br /> generations. <br /> Priority 15: Complete stewardship and management plans for Lands Legacy. <br /> • The HPC has been actively involved in the stabilization and ongoing preservation work of <br /> the historic buildings at the County's park sites, with a special focus on Blackwood Farm <br /> Park. The collective expertise of HPC members and staff are of great value in helping the <br /> County preserve its important historic structures parks and elsewhere. <br /> Identify any activities this commission expects to carry out in 2025 as they relate to <br /> established BOCC goals and priorities. If applicable, is there a fiscal impact (i.e., <br /> funding, staff time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities? <br /> • Ridge Road School Preservation: obtain funding through outside grants and from the county <br /> to assist the property owners in a project carry out essential preservation work to stabilize <br /> the exterior of this historic two-room Black school. <br /> • Continue to increase diversity in the Landmark and National Register Programs: The HPC <br /> will focus on designating additional diverse historic resources for Landmark and National <br /> Register programs (No fiscal impact—already budgeted in the Lands Legacy budget) <br /> • Commemorative Marker for the Burial Ground for Enslaved Workers at Blackwood Farm <br /> Park: The HPC is partnering with the OC Human Relations Commission on a project to <br /> establish a permanent stone marker(s) at the burial ground. This will be a prototype for a <br /> planned larger effort to identify and protect other unmarked rural burial grounds. <br /> • Historic Resources Book Project: Working with book designers and production editor on final <br /> selection of 500-plus photo illustrations and developing captions. Book design work is <br /> scheduled to begin in early 2025. (No fiscal impact—county share budgeted in past years) <br /> • Increase awareness of Archaeological Resources: The HPC will pursue educational and <br /> landmark/National Register designation projects to raise public awareness about <br /> archaeological resources, with an Indian sites and features (No fiscal impact) <br /> • Old Courthouse Preservation Project: the HPC advises on the upcoming project to preserve <br /> and restore the Old Orange County Courthouse. Architect selection is now underway, under <br /> supervision of AMS staff, with planning work to be carried out in FY 2025-26. HPC members <br /> will help review/advise throughout the project (C/P Funds already approved for planning). <br /> • North Carolina Celebration of the USA 250th Anniversary: The HPC is continuing to <br /> participate in the local planning process for the 250th anniversary of the American <br /> Revolution in 2025-2026, under the leadership of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors <br /> Bureau. (No fiscal impact during planning stages) <br /> What are the concerns or emerging issues your board has identified for the upcoming <br /> year that it plans to address, or wishes to bring to the Commissioners' attention? <br /> Abandoned Black burial grounds: There are numerous abandoned informal Black burial <br /> grounds scattered across the county, many of which contain the burials of those who were <br /> -3 - <br />