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