Agenda - 12-10-2002-1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hillsborough Justice Facilities Campus Master Plan In 1999,the County Commissioners commissioned Freeman-White Architects, Charlotte to produce a site plan that reflected the total build-out capability of the site.The results of this report,presented in April 2000,outlined two options,one of which would allow approximately 96,000 additional square feet of building(Option A),the other approximately 105,600 square feet(Option B). It is important to note that the study defined the scope of the master plan site to be only the area between the Government Services Center to the east,the Courthouse to the west, Margaret Lane to the north and the edge of the existing parking lot to the south. Each option defined building construction in four phases. Option A, incorporated the parking deck into the courthouse construction,while Option B developed a 6 level free- standing parking structure in the approximate location of the existing Sheriff's Department. At the request of the County Commissioners,the Master Plan was also presented to the Town of Hillsborough Commissioners in June 2000. Concerns raised by both Boards were similar, examples of which include the following: • Parking sufficiency and location; • Concern about losing the vista from Margaret Lane into River Park;and • Scale of the proposed buildings in relation to the existing structure;and • Farmer's Market location. In an effort to further clarify the challenges associated with development of a court facility on Margaret Lane,two Commissioners,two Judges and County staff met with representatives from the Town of Hillsborough,the Historic Alliance,the Tourism Board and local citizenry. While there is general consensus that development can occur on the site,there is significant concern that it be done in a manner that embraces a strong sensitivity to historical context of the community as well as the resulting environmental impacts.These concerns will be reflected in the criteria used in the selection of a design firm. Proposed Expansion of the Master Plant Since the completion of this Master Plan,the Board has received recommendations regarding future development of County Government buildings in the immediate vicinity. Several issues were raised during those discussions,including the potential that a parking deck could be located closer to the Government Services Center rather than being built as part of the Courthouse project. Regardless of whether that should be the case, it is a forgone conclusion that the design outcome for both facilities will be more effective if their needs are considered in tandem. For example: • The facilities will have similar parking needs; • Pedestrian and Vehicular circulation from one site to the other should be considered; • Should the Board choose to site a Farmer's Market on this site, it should be sited with considerations of both facilities in mind. Because of the close interaction of the two potential expansions in the Downtown Hillsborough area,it is recommended that the scope of work for architectural services for the Courthouse design be expanded to integrate all County land that lies: • South of Margaret Lane • East of Churton Street • West of Cameron Street • • North of the Eno River. • Upon Board confirmation,the following assumptions regarding the use of the land would be cited to the architect: • The area that is presently River Park land would remain dedicated to park/open space,with extremely minimal,if any encroachment by parking. • The area that is presently River Park could be utilized for part or all of a Farmer's Market Facility, if the final design indicated that to be the optimal location. I \A/.-!. ............. .... A 9A A7 ., ,