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Mecklenburg Board of Commissioners
Action Item
OPEN SESSION
December 20, 2005
______________________________________________________________________________________
Subject:
Re-allocation of funds from sale of Trolley Barn Property to
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission and Charlotte Trolley,
Inc.
ACTION: A. Approve allocation of one-half of
the funds realized from the sale of the Trolley Barn Property to replenish
the Revolving Fund of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission;
B. Approve allocation of one-half
of the funds realized from the sale of the Trolley Barn Property to
Charlotte Trolley, Inc. for the construction of a permanent interpretive
center for designated landmark Trolley Car #85 and Charlotte’s streetcar
history.
Staff Contact:
Dr. Dan L. Morrill, Consulting Director
Telephone: 704-376-9115
Bryan
Turner, Senior Project Manager
Real
Estate Services Department
Presentation:
Yes_ X__ No__ __
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
During the FY 05-06 budgetary
process, the Capital Budget Advisory Committee recommended that the Historic
Landmarks Commission’s Revolving Fund be replenished in the sum of one
million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000.00). County management
did not recommend the replenishment at that time as it did not want these
funds to be borrowed, preferring instead that these funds be obtained from
other sources of revenue. The proceeds of the sale of the original Trolley
Barn Property are a logical source of that revenue. The County previously
allocated funds for the purchase of the Trolley Barn to preserve a historic
landmark and communicate the rich legacy of Charlotte’s
streetcar-neighborhood development. Allocating the funds from the sale of
the original Trolley Barn as requested herein will support the same goals.
With the assistance of the County and the
Historic Landmarks Commission, the non-profit Charlotte Trolley, Inc. (CTI)
has restored vintage trolley service to Charlotte, including the use of one
of Charlotte’s original trolleys, Car #85, a locally designated historic
landmark. CTI’s plans for the original Trolley Barn included an expanded
education center where school groups and the public could learn about the
vital role electrified trolleys played in the development of Charlotte’s
earliest neighborhoods. Plans also included space for the restoration of
additional New South trolleys for use on the rails of Charlotte. By
allocating one-half of the original Trolley Barn funds to Charlotte Trolley,
Inc., these purposes can be preserved. While the funds requested herein are
for a portion of CTI’s estimated capital costs, CTI has a site strategy and
fund-raising plan to complete the project. In addition to its historic
significance, trolley service has been and will continue to be an important
economic development tool, spurring transit-oriented revitalization of South
End. A trolley museum as neighborhood center and tourist attraction is a
vital element of South End’s ongoing redevelopment.
Grace A.M.E. Zion Church is one of the most
significant Victorian Gothic Revival style buildings in Mecklenburg County.
Grace Church, dedicated on July 13, 1902, is one of the oldest black
churches in Charlotte. It is also the only religious edifice which survives
in what was once the largest African American residential section in
Charlotte, known as Brooklyn, and is its last remaining landmark. Grace
Church has contributed substantially to the evolution of the local African
American community, especially through such members as Dr. J. T. Williams
and Thaddeus L. Tate.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
The Historic Landmarks Commission
has attempted to purchase the Grace AME Zion Church, but has been unable to
agree upon a purchase price with its owners. The Historic Landmarks
Commission does not usually pay significantly in excess of appraised value
for its properties. Negotiations with the Church suggest that it can be
purchased for its tax value, but should the Historic Landmarks Commission do
so, it is likely that there will be a significant loss at the time of
re-sale. The Historic Landmarks Commission has found it difficult to
justify such a projected loss based solely on matters that it considers to
be within the scope of its review. The Historic Landmarks Commission
recognizes, however, that a purchase of the church at its tax value could
perhaps be justified taking into account the Church's significant cultural
role in the community and other factors beyond the scope of the Commission's
focus on historic preservation. The Historic Landmarks Commission requests
direction from the County Commission as to whether this purchase at tax
value is an appropriate use of its funds.
POLICY IMPACT:
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Current
Fiscal Year
Impact
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%
Funding
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Next
Fiscal Year
Impact |
%
Funding
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New Positions
FT PT
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Federal
State
Other
County
Capital Project
TOTAL |
$ |
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$ |
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MUST BE
COMPLETED IF FUNDING IS INVOLVED.
ATTACHMENTS:
N/A
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