File #: 15-0277    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Agendas Status: Other Matters
File created: 6/17/2015 In control: Board of Aldermen
On agenda: 6/23/2015 Final action:
Title: Carrboro Arts & Innovation Center Update PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to update the Board on the work of the Technical and Steering Committees as related to the possibility of a Carrboro Arts & Innovation Center based on Proposed Path to a New Proposal.
Attachments: 1. Attachment A: Proposed Path to New Proposal, 2. Attachment B: CAIC presentation with Steering Committee feedback 6-8-15, 3. Attachment C - Orange County Staff Memo - Library Siting and CAIC Working Group
TITLE: Title
Carrboro Arts & Innovation Center Update
 
PURPOSE:  The purpose of this item is to update the Board on the work of the Technical and Steering Committees as related to the possibility of a Carrboro Arts & Innovation Center based on Proposed Path to a New Proposal.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning and Manager's Office
 
CONTACT INFORMATION: Trish McGuire, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org>, 919-918-7327; Julie Eckenrode, jeckenrode@townofcarrboro.org, 919-918-7308
 
INFORMATION: During hearings and meetings in early 2015, the Board of Aldermen received public comment and discussed the Carrboro Arts and Innovation Center (CAIC) concept that had been proposed as partnership.  Per the Board of Aldermen's direction on February 19th, the idea of a proposed "reset" was shared with the CAIC partners and Orange County.  The possibility of collaboratively exploring the possibility and merits of collocating a set of spaces that would include the planned Southern Branch Library, the Arts Center, Kidzu and the Town of Carrboro was discussed in the early spring.  From that meeting, a process for exploring the "Pathway to a New Proposal (Attachment A)" was developed to include a steering committee and a technical committee.  The steering committee consists of Orange County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Carrboro Town Manager David Andrews, Arts Center Board members Don Rose and Phil Szostak and Kidzu Board member Betsy Bennett.  The technical committee consists of Orange County Asset Management Director Jeff Thompson, Carrboro staff Julie Eckenrode and Trish McGuire, Arts Center staff Noel James and Kidzu staff Lisa Van Deman.  The technical committee began meeting in April to compile information and to outline a plan of action for the summer months so that in the early fall the four parties could consider further commitments to examining possible collocation (such as funding for relevant studies or analysis).  Technical committee members shared a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed plan of action with the steering committee on June 8th (Attachment B).  Steering committee feedback was added to the slides (see red highlights).  The presentation summarizes the work of the technical committee to date and includes a committee charge and proposed timeline.  The work is proposed to include visioning and needs assessment and consideration of four potential sites for collocation: 203 S. Greensboro, the current Arts Center property, the Fireplace Editions building, and the "Armadillo Grill" parking lot.
 
On a parallel track, County staff continue to move forward with due diligence towards making a recommendation on sites for the planned Southern Branch library.  An update on the library siting was included as an informational item for the Board of County Commissioners on June 16th; a copy is attached as Attachment C.  Orange County staff recommendations on the sites currently under consideration are expected in the fall of 2015.
 
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: Staff impact involves involvement in technical and steering committee meetings.  Fiscal impact is not yet known.
 
RECOMMENDATION:r It is recommended to accept the report and provide feedback and direction to guide technical and steering committee meetings throughout the summer.