Orange County NC Website
26 <br /> JOSEPH K. OPPERMANN-ARCHITECT, P.A. <br /> Historic Architecture &Architectural Conservation <br /> 25 February 2025 <br /> Ms. Angel Barnes <br /> Orange County,Asset Management Services <br /> 300 West Tryon Street <br /> Hillsborough,North Carolina 27278 <br /> Re: RFQ No. 367-005428 <br /> Professional Services for the Historic Courthouse Square—Building and Grounds <br /> Improvements <br /> Hillsborough, Orange County,North Carolina <br /> Dear Ms. Barnes: <br /> As requested,Joseph K. Oppermann—Architect,P.A. QKOA) is pleased to submit this fee <br /> proposal for professional architecture and engineering services for the Building and Grounds <br /> Improvements at the Historic Courthouse Square in Hillsborough,North Carolina. <br /> Background <br /> The historic Orange County Courthouse (built 1844-46) is widely recognized as one of the <br /> finest and best-preserved Greek Revival-style courthouses in the state. The handsome brick <br /> structure with its prominent original clock tower is the undisputed centerpiece of <br /> Hillsborough's historic district. Its hillside site, consisting of a full block,has a long and <br /> significant history,beginning with the construction of the county's first courthouse on this <br /> site in 1757. A second courthouse dating to 1790 was built there, as were two jail buildings <br /> and the office for the Town's mayor. The first courthouse and its surrounding grounds <br /> figured prominently in North Carolina's history as the setting for numerous events leading <br /> up to the Regulator conflicts between 1768 and 1771. The courthouse is individually listed <br /> on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the surrounding grounds. <br /> The existing landscaping,plantings, and pedestrian amenities on the Old Courthouse Square <br /> are the products of several civic improvement projects, beginning with work done by the <br /> WPA during the 1930s when old stones from the walls of the 1837 jail building were <br /> repurposed to create the present network of attractive but uneven stone-paved sidewalks and <br /> steps,which are proving to be hazardous to pedestrians. Current issues include accessibility, <br /> lighting, drainage,inappropriate/oversized site plantings, and an absence of public seating. <br /> The square also lacks any wayfinding signage or interpretive panels to provide information <br /> about the important and complex role this site played in local and state history. <br /> The historic courthouse was last renovated and repaired in 1985 when extensive work was <br /> carried out in many areas to address structural issues, as well as to make significant <br /> improvements to accessibility by providing elevator access, a new internal fire stair, and two <br /> small accessible restrooms on the second floor adjacent to the courtroom. In 2017, the <br /> courthouse square was the subject of an archaeological survey and research project that <br /> included a thorough survey using ground-penetrating radar. <br /> 539 North Trade Street • Winston-Salem,North Carolina 27101 <br /> (336)721-1711 • Fax(336)721-1712 • office@jkoa.net <br />