BC 1999 05 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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211 David Propst had information about a architectural company that specializes in Fairs. The name is Bullock, Smith & Partners. We decided to recess the meeting until 8:00 am, May 5, 1999 to view the land available on Highway 601. May 5, 1999 We viewed several pieces of land and discovered that there are several more pieces that could be obtained if we are interested. Of particular interest was a 297-acre tract that in (sic) just South of the Concord Motor Speedway. Meeting was adjourned. Next meeting will be at 4:00 p.m. on May 19, 1999 in Alfred Brown's office. Commissioner Fennel proposed that the County consider the purchase of property in conjunction with a developer, build a sewer p~mp station and then resell a portion of the property to the developer. He reviewed the following example of such a purchase of property on Highway 601 for the Fairgrounds. 297 acres @ $7,744/acre or $2,300,000. Buy property in conjunction with developer. Build sewer pump station to bring sewer services to the property. Resell to the developer 200 acres for a price to cover cost of the purchase and cost of the pump station. We retain 97 acres for free. Possibly could get cooperative agreements with surrounding landowners to build the sewer pump station to benefit their land. Financing Plan: Purchase of land Sewer Pump Station Total Cost Sale of 200 acres Cost to the County $2,300,000 1,000,000 $3,300,000 $3,300,000 During discussion of Commissioner Fennel's land purchase proposal, Board members expressed concerns about the residential development that would occur and its impact on the surrounding community, specifically Bethel Elementary School and the Muddy Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. It was also suggested during discussion that the Committee might wish to look into the possibility of acquiring land at the Fieldcrest Baseball Stadium on the Rowan/Cabarrus County line. Reconsideration of the Sale of 12± Acres of County Property on Hiqhway 601 Bypass - Vice Chairman Fennel Commissioner Fennel stated there had been very successful meetings with the Fair Board members concerning the relocation of the Fair. Therefore, he proposed that the Board reconsider the sale of the 12 acres of County property on Highway 601 Bypass. He made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Privette, that the Board take the County property off the market at this time and, upon relocation of the Fair, sell both the County property and Fair property at one time. Chairman Barnhart outlined the following current situation involving the Fair, including its operation by a private corporation, acquisition of land in 1955 at a cost of $100.00, lease of the County's property beginning in 1985 for $1.00 per year, offer of $2.15 million in 1992 to purchase the County and Fair property, opposition by the Fair over the last few years to relocate, issuance of the notice of termination of the lease for the County property in 1997, the upset bid process for the sale of the County property authorized in February 1999 and the current offer of $575,000.00 to purchase the County's 12 acres of property. Stating concern about the Board's responsibility for County-owned assets, Chairman Barnhart presented the following questions and concerns regarding the lease of the County property by the Fair. IF THE FAIR IS TO CONTINUE LEASING LAND OWNED BY TAXPAYERS FOR THE PRIVATE ORGANIZATION THAT THEY ARE, THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED: Use of the County's 12 acres should be only for the two weeks the Fair operates (and possibly a week or so earlier for set-up; and a week or so after for tear down and clean up). It should also be no more than a year to year lease.