AGENDA #4L(2)
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Acceptance and Referral of the Report of the Second Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee
DATE: September 7, 2004
The attached resolution would accept and refer the report of the second Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee to staff and boards and Commissions and authorize the Manager to report back to the Council in November 2004.
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In 1996 the Town began the planning process to develop the Pritchard Park program. The process was halted in April 1996 when the owner of the Siena Hotel petitioned the Council to consider leasing or selling a portion of the park property to the Hotel. In 1997, the Council decided to postpone a decision until after completion of a concept plan for the park.
A Pritchard Park Conceptual Plan Committee was formed. On November 27, 2000, the Council adopted the Report of the Pritchard Park Conceptual Plan Committee. At that time the Council authorized the Manager to complete a plan for development of an art garden and to involve the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, the Library Board, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
On November 25, 2002, the Council adopted the Report of the Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee. The Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee consisted of 2 members each of the Public Arts Commission, the Library Board, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Committee investigated a variety of options for designing the proposed art garden including options that involved a partnership with the Siena Hotel and options that did not involve the hotel. The Committee voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend that the Town partner with the Siena Hotel in a manner that would allow a seamless transition between the designs of the two properties, provide funding for the Town’s park and art project, and allow the Siena Hotel to address its parking needs.
On March 22, 2004, the manager of the Siena Hotel petitioned the Council requesting further discussions concerning a proposed public-private partnership for development of Pritchard Park and the Siena Hotel. On April 14, 2004, the Council responded by authorizing the Manager to enter into further discussions with the management of the Siena Hotel and formed a new Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee consisting of 2 members each of the Public Arts Commission, the Library Board, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
The Siena Hotel has proposed to purchase about 1.1 acres of land from the Town in order to allow expansion of the hotel, construction of a parking deck, and creation of a formal garden. The Committee believes that the proposed sale of land could be done in a manner that would serve both the hotel and the Town. The Committee’s report contains a number of specific recommendations that if fully implemented could result in a transfer of land, an expanded hotel, and a new art garden in Pritchard Park. Please see the attached report.
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached resolution that would accept the Report of the Second Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee; refer the report to the Manager, the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, the Library Board, and the Parks & Recreation Commission for comments and recommendations; and authorize the Manager to report back to the Council in November with recommendations.
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE REPORT OF THE SECOND PRITCHARD PARK ART GARDEN COMMITTEE AND REFERRING THE REPORT TO THE MANAGER, THE CHAPEL HILL PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION, THE LIBRARY BOARD, AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS (2004-09-07/R-10)
WHEREAS, on November 25, 2002, the Council adopted the Report of the Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee, which recommended that the Town partner with the Siena Hotel in a manner that would allow a seamless transition between the designs of the two properties, provide funding for the Town’s park and art project, and allow the Siena Hotel to address its parking needs; and
WHEREAS, on March 22, 2004, the manager of the Siena Hotel petitioned the Council requesting further discussions concerning a proposed public-private partnership for development of Pritchard Park and the Siena Hotel; and
WHEREAS, the Council created a second Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee to meet with the staff of the Siena Hotel; and
WHEREAS, the second Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee has prepared a report for the Council with recommendations;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council accepts the Report of the Second Pritchard Park Art Garden Committee and refers the report to the Manager, the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, the Library Board, and the Parks and Recreation Commission for comments and recommendations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Manager is authorized to report to the Council in November 2004 with recommendations related to the Committee’s report.
This the 7th day of September, 2004.