Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />September 19, 2005 (Regular Meeting) <br /> <br />Page <br /> <br />332 <br /> <br />office and buildings on Barbrick Avenue, that have been demolished and replaced <br />with parking lots or new buildings. Stating a prior Board found a way to <br />preserve the historic courthouse 30 years ago, Mr. McKay asked the Board to <br />preserve the Tribune Building along with the Cline and Propst houses. <br /> <br />Cary Hocutt, resident of Union Street and member of the Concord Historic <br />Preservation Commission, encouraged the Board to consider options to \\spare" <br />the Tribune Building. He cited the importance of the Tribune Building to the <br />City's history and stated it may merit inclusion on the National Register of <br />Historic Places. <br /> <br />John Snuggs, resident of Union Street, stated he was speaking on behalf <br />of the Residents of Historic Concord ("Residents"), a homeowners association <br />consisting of 262 households. He said the Residents have never opposed what <br />will eventually be a 1,000-bed jail but are asking for consideration on how the <br />jail will look and what buildings will be demolished. He reviewed the 2002 <br />Concord Historical Survey Update by Dr. Kingston Heath and offered assistance <br />with the process to get the Tribune Building placed on the National Register of <br />Historic Places. Mr. Snuggs stated the Residents endorse Option 2 and <br />encouraged the Board to save the Tribune Building. Finally, Mr. Snuggs <br />expressed concerns about the South Union Street fayade and the lack of a plan <br />for the corner of Union Street and Corban Avenue. <br /> <br />Zac Moretz of the Concord Downtown Development Corporation spoke in <br />support of Option 2. He stated the estimated cost of $500,000.00 to preserve <br />the building was a very small percentage of the total project cost. Also, Mr. <br />Moretz objected to plans for a park at the corner of Corban Avenue and Union <br />Street and stated a commercial building should be constructed at that site. <br /> <br />Richard Allan Smith, Trustee of property located at 142 Union Street <br />South, expressed concern about the Union Street elevation and the view of the <br />Jail facility from his house. He stated the need to screen the entire area. <br /> <br />Larry Marlow, resident of Odell School Road, stated he was not for or <br />against the Tribune Building. However, he stated he worked in the building for <br />a number of years and cited concerns about the lead plates, asbestos covers and <br />other environmental concerns in the building. Finally, he encouraged the Board <br />to get the jail stated immediately. <br /> <br />Chairman Carpenter closed the public comment period regarding the Tribune <br />Building. <br /> <br />Sheriff Brad Riley responded to questions about overcrowding in the <br />existing jail. He stated he could not speak on behalf of the State Inspector as <br />to the delay of several months and any action that may be taken by the State to <br />address the overcrowding. <br /> <br />Commissioner Privette made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freeman, to <br />adopt Option 2. <br /> <br />There was lengthy discussion regarding the following issues: (1) <br />Undetermined cost to remove the back portion of the Tribune Building and shore <br />up the remaining structurei (2) Historical significance of the Tribune <br />Building; (3) Lengthy process in planning the new jail; (4) Cost to bring the <br />Tribune Building up to code; and (4) Loss of parking spaces if the Cline and <br />Propst houses are moved to a site adjacent to the Lutheran Cemetery. <br /> <br />UPON MOTION of Commissioner Privette, seconded by Commissioner Freeman <br />with Commissioners Privette and Freeman, Chairman Carpenter and Vice Chairman <br />Carruth voting for and Commissioner Juba voting against, the Board approved <br />Option 2 as presentedi approved an amendment to the contract with Ware Bonsall <br />Architects for the firm to hire and supervise a structural engineer to do a <br />thorough assessment of Option 2 with the study to be completed in 30 days and <br />results of the study to be brought back to the Board; and authorized the <br />appropriate budget amendment to fund that study at an amount not to exceed <br />$300,000.00. <br /> <br />UPON MOTION of Vice Chairman Carruth, seconded by Chairman Carpenter and <br />unanimously carried, the Board directed staff to develop a proposal for the <br />establishment of a Historic Preservation Advisory Committee to advise the Board <br />and the Planning and Zoning Commission as to a way to better catalog and <br />identify historical sites in Cabarrus County. <br /> <br />Chairman Carpenter recessed the meeting at 9:45 p.m. for a short period. <br /> <br />Chairman Carpenter reconvened the meeting at 10:00 p.m. <br />