Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 17, 2004 Work Session 357 A Worksession ofthe Frederick County Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, February 17, 2004, at 12:00 P.M., in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman Richard C. Shickle; Vice-Chairman Barbara E. Van Osten; Gary W. Dove; Bill M. Ewing; Gina A. Forrester; and W. Harrington Smith, Jr.. BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT Lynda J. Tyler (arrived at 12:30 p.m.) CALI, TO ORDER Chairman Shickle convened the worksession and stated that the purpose was to hear a presentation on the Shenandoah University History and Tourism Center Feasibility Study. He then introduced Dr. Jim Davis, President of Shenandoah University. Dr. Davis reviewed the history of this project, which began approximately two years ago when Congressman Wolfe arranged for a $1.5 million appropriation to be used to enhance history, tourism, and education. He gave credit to Pat Zontine for meeting with the different groups in the area and getting the discussions going. He advised that the University has $1.5 million to apply towards capital initiatives to support tourism, history, and education initiatives in the area. He then introduced Peter Benton, Jo1m Milner Associates, Inc., preparer ofthe feasibility study, who would give the Board of brief overview of the study and its conclusions. Mr. Benton began by reviewing the four goals of the study: Meet the requirements of the Small Business Association Grant. Create programs and a budget for the History Tourism Center. - Explore potential partnerships and help foster their development. - Provide sufficient information and analysis to aid the selection of a potential new location for the History Tourism Center. Mr. Benton discussed the Center's vision, which was to further the understanding of the valley's history and culture and support its interpretation. The Center would also support community goals, including preservation of historic and cultural resources, strengthening ofthe regional economy, and enhancement of the local quality of life. The Center will be structured in two parts: 1. A partnership of college departments and programs. 2. Public programming coordination with the School of Continuing Education. One of the partnerships will be with the Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Minute Book Number 29 Board of Supervisors Worksession Re: Shenandoah University Tourism Center - 02/17/04 358 Visitor's Bureau. This will involve a shared facility, cooperative projects, and research and program support. Mr. Benton informed the Board that the History Tourism Center has been working with the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation to develop maps of its sites. He then discussed the Winchester-Frederick County Civil War Cluster. The Center would serve as an orientation center with implementation and interpretation programs at the battlefields in Old Town Winchester. Mr. Benton discussed the five potential sites for the location ofthe History Tourism Center. They included Abram's Delight, Fort Collier, Glen Bumie, Crawford Farm, and the Cameron Street Building. After reviewing a number of surveys, the study determined that Abram's Delight was the highest ranking location for the proposed facility. Mr. Benton reviewed the preliminary building plan for the History Tourism Center, which would house the following: - Seminar rooms, meeting rooms, and a library. - Convention and Visitors' Bureau with an information/reception desk and brochure racks. - Civil War Orientation Center with both permanent and changing exhibit space. - Shared community event space. Mr. Benton showed visitors and monetary numbers generated by the different types of tourists in the area. The study found that currently 16,000 people visit historic sites in Winchester throughout the year and Heritage Tourism visitors spend the most money per day per person. Dr. Davis informed the Board that the Winchester City Council is "really interested" in using the Abram's Delight site for the location of the Center. He further stated that he sent the Council a few words on cost, design, etc. Dr. Davis advised that he wanted to approach the County regarding its possible involvement because he believed this project was something feasible and he was open to allowing the County to participate in the discussions. He added that he must take the issues discussed and agreed upon back to his Board of Trustees for approval. Dr. Davis went on to say that he would like for the County and the City to work together to build a nice facility at Abram's Delight. In order to make that possible, he would put forward the University's $1.5 million from the grant from Congressman Wolfe. He further advised that the City Council would put forward a long term lease on the property, but he still needed a financial commitment to make this happen. Vice-Chairman Van Osten stated that the best location for the Center seemed to be Crawford Farm because of its location near 1-81 and Route 37. She further stated that she felt a central Minute Book Number 29 Board of Supervisors Worksession Re: Shenandoah University Tourism Center - 02117/04 359 location would benefit tourism and that diversification of attractions would also be a good plan. Dr. Davis responded that his original desire and intent were to locate the Center at Crawford Farm; however, the original idea was different from what evolved out of the study, which was that Abram's Delight would be a better location. Dr. Davis went on to say that Crawford Farm would be an historic site regardless of this project and it would be preserved and interpreted. Supervisor Tyler advised that she had been involved in this process and that some of the change in the project's direction came about as a result of what the County was doing. She went on to say that she saw co-location of all three facilities as a win/win/win, because "one stop shopping" is important for out of town visitors looking for information. She concluded by saying that she views the History Tourism Center as the catalyst for bringing all ofthese things together (orientation, preservation, and interpretation). Dr. Davis responded that the entire comer site at Pleasant Valley and Millwood Pike is important to Shenandoah University's future and he wants to make it a window on the University and the community. Supervisor Dove asked about the tax revenue generated by tourism. The statistics show the current amount received is $ 13,000/year. The study stated the high end potential could be $70,000. Mr. Benton responded that the tax revenue generated is relatively modest; however, economic activity and not tax revenue is the driving force for tourism. Supervisor Van Osten asked about the "bottom line" cost for this proposed project. Dr. Davis responded approximately $2.5-$3 million. He went on to say that the site would not accommodate a huge building and he felt it would not cost either jurisdiction (County or City) a huge amount of money to have a 15,000 square foot building to house the three facilities. Dr. Davis concluded by saying that a $3-$3.5 million project would be even better. Administrator Riley asked Dr. Davis ifhe was looking for $1.5 million from the City and County. Dr. Davis responded that he would like to see that and he believed it would build a nice facility. He went on to say that he had not presented this information to the tourism board because he had not yet spoken to the Board of Supervisors or the City Council, which are the groups that fund the board. It was his hope that the City and County could put up a share to help the University build this facility and if that was done then he would recommend to his Board of Trustees that the Minute Book Number 29 Board of Supervisors Worksession Re: Shenandoah University Tourism Center - 02/17/04 360 $1.5 million be spent on this building with the University taking charge ofthe building and leasing the land. Supervisor Forrester asked ifthere was a deadline for using the money. Dr. Davis responded that the University must have some clear direction by October 2004 for the first $750,000. The remaining $750,000 will have to be spent by 2005. He further stated that he would spend these monies on the University if they would not be used to construct this facility. Chairman Shickle thanked Dr. Davis and Mr. Benton for coming. Supervisor Forrester advised that she would like to consider this request along with the rest of the budget. Supervisor Tyler advised that she believed co-location was a good idea and she hoped there would be some cooperative use agreements. She believed this was a huge catalyst to move "us" in the right direction and she felt it would be appropriate to take it through the budget process. Supervisor Forrester stated that she thought the issue should be brought before the Finance Committee tomorrow Administrator Riley asked Supervisor Forrester ifshe wanted to fund the entire $1.5 million. Supervisor Forrester responded not the entire amount in the first year, but she would prefer to wait until tomorrow to discuss it further so she could have time to think about it. Supervisor Tyler advised that this proj ect needed to be looked at using the cursory 50% share with a possible reduction based upon the benefit to each entity (City or County). Vice-Chairman Van Osten stated that she was a supporter of tourism and she was in favor of co-location of facilities; however, she did have reservations about the proposed site. She concluded by saying that this was a worthy proposal to look at and she would like to have more time to think about it. Supervisor Riley advised that some ofms concerns, if the County were to take a leadership role are: - Does the tourism board have a buy in on the site? - Is the City ready to stand up and commit $750,000 as well? THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THIS BOARD THIS MEETING IS HEREBY ADJOURNED. (TIME 1:00 P.M.). Minute Book Number 29 Board of Supervisors Worksession Re: Sbenandoah University Tourism Center - 02/17/04 361 f'\ ( I~ ~J C.i!,.. [) Q A-..) Richard C. Shickle Chairman, Board of Supervisors ~ J R. Riley, J . Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minutes Prepared By: ~ E'-~-iv.l Jay . ibbs Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minute Book Number 29 Board of Supervisors Worksession Re: Shenandoah University Tourism Center - 02/17/04