Agenda - 05-20-2003-8l - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 20, 2003 Action Agenda Item No. ~_ SUBJECT: Lease Renewal -Alliance for Historic Hillsborough for Dickson House DEPARTMENT: Purchasing & Central Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): • Proposed Lease Renewal INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Jones, 245-2652 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel HiIN 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider athree-year renewal of the lease with the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough for the Dickson House and associated property and outbuildings for the purposes of continued operation of the Visitor's Center. BACKGROUND: The County approved the purchase of the Dickson House and property from the Historic Preservation Fund of Hillsborough, Inc. in March 1993. An agreement executed in tandem with the acquisition of the property in 1993 between the County and the Preservation Fund (the Fund) reflects a number of conditions that affect the disposition and use of the property and structures. One such condition is that for a period of ten years from March 1, 1993, the property be "made available to the Hillsborough Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc., or to some other organization for operation as a visitor's center and allied uses for the Town of Hillsborough and Orange County...". Although the ten-year commitment has been fulfilled, the building does not present itself as suitable for County space needs pending at this time. In addition to being fairly small, the upper floor is not accessible except by a narrow staircase, thereby making it less suitable for many County functions. The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough continues to operate the Visitor's Center from the Dickson House. The proposed rent has been calculated using the square footage of the Dickson House as its basis. The house is approximately 2,713 square feet. At $12 per square foot, the annual lease amount is $32,556. The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough has indicated that its budget continues to diminish as funding sources cut allocations. As a result, the Alliance is unable to take full responsibility of the rent. Assuming that the BOCC supports the continuation of the Visitor's Center under the direction of the Alliance, the staff has proposed a cost and responsibility sharing arrangement that would have the Alliance paying $2,760 per year cash rent, with the remaining $29,796 in-kind support for the tourism initiative.