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Meeting Convened. An Adjourned Meeting of the
York County Board of Supervisors was called to order at 6:04 p.m.,
Tuesday, September 24, 2002, in the Board Room, York Hall, by Chairman
Donald E. Wiggins.
Attendance. The following members of the
Board of Supervisors were present: Walter C. Zaremba, Sheila S. Noll,
Donald E. Wiggins, James S. Burgett, and Thomas G. Shepperd.
Also in attendance were James O. McReynolds,
County Administrator; and James E. Barnett, County Attorney.
WORK SESSION
YORKTOWN DESIGN
Mr. McReynolds made a presentation providing
the Board members with information on the condition of the current
Nick's Seafood Pavilion building, the estimated cost of renovations, the
site plan and design for commercial structures on the waterfront site,
and parking options. He then recognized the members of the Design Review
Committee who provided input on the project designed by Carlton Abbott
Architect and Partners, with consulting work provided by VHB. Mr.
McReynolds indicated there would be three citizen input opportunities on
the project: a public forum is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2, from
4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Grafton High School Atrium; informational
meetings are scheduled on September 26 and October 3 from 4:00 to 7:00
p.m. in the County Administration Conference Room in the Administration
Center on Ballard Street in Yorktown. He noted that at the Board's work
session scheduled for October 8, the staff hopes the Board will reach a
consensus on direction to give in order to move forward on the design
and construction phases of the Yorktown Revitalization effort.
Mr. James W. Noel, Jr., Director of Economic
Development, discussed the existing Nick's Seafood Pavilion restaurant
and its current condition. He stated that in looking at possible
renovation, the objective was to determine the complete costs to
renovate for a building that would last 20-plus years, make optimum use
out of the existing space, and bring the building up to current code
standards. Mr. Noel indicated a construction company was selected to
estimate the renovation costs, and an equipment and furnishings company
was asked to give an estimate on the needed equipment for the
restaurant. The current restaurant seats 450 in a 9,700 square foot
space. Total renovation cost would be approximately $1,793,630. All
major systems have to be completely redone or replaced, and there are
some environmental issues that must be addressed. Mr. Noel stated the
estimate was very conservative. He then noted that this renovation cost
equaled to $134.91 per square foot while it would cost approximately
$100 per square foot for new building of a comparable size. Mr. Noel
then apprised the Board of some late information received concerning the
floor elevation of the building. He noted the existing building's floor
elevation is 7.05 feet, yet the 100-year flood plain is between 8 and 9
feet. Because the cost of renovating the building would exceed 50
percent of the assessed value, the floor elevation will have to be
raised to meet the current code, and this will be a very expensive
endeavor.
Discussion followed concerning the condition
of the existing restaurant building and the need to comply with the
flood plain requirement. Also, discussion ensued regarding financial
arrangements for the construction or renovation of the restaurant
facility and the factors considered by the estimators in determining the
extent of the needed renovations.
Chairman Wiggins asked about the possibility
of finding somebody to buy the building, do all the necessary
renovations, and run the restaurant.
Mr. Noel indicated that anything was
possible. He stated the staff's perspective and objective was to look at
the needs in order to bring the building up to today's standards for the
long haul if the IDA continues to lease the facility out. The short
experience the IDA has had with the facility has been a very expensive
one so far because of the cost of constant repairs.
Mrs. Noll asked how the restaurant was doing
financially.
Mr. Noel explained that in the few months
the IDA has been leasing the building it has been a break-even
proposition. When it was turned over from the Jamestown-Yorktown
Foundation, the business was struggling.
Discussion followed on the current lease
agreement the IDA has for the restaurant facility.
Mr. Zaremba reminded the Board members that
the IDA has been at the reins of Nick's during the entire peak tourist
season, and it is only breaking even. He stated he feels the County has
seen the best-case scenario.
Mr. Burgett asked if there was any
historical significance to the building.
Mr. Noel stated that, to the best of his
knowledge, it does not meet the requirements of an official historical
designation in any way.
Mr. Shepperd asked if the present Nick's
stays open, is there a requirement that the building be renovated to
meet code.
Mrs. Marianne Harris, York County Building
Official, stated the current Certificate of Occupancy stays in force
unless the building changes to house a different use. She stated
structural code violations or a fire would have to take place in order
for her personnel to go in and require and further compliance.
Discussion ensued concerning routine
inspections of the restaurant by the insurance carriers, Fire
Department, and the Health Department.
Mr. Carlton Abbott, architect for the
Yorktown Revitalization Project, made a presentation on the project
displaying the design concept plans. He discussed the two Focus on
Yorktown sessions held which were a series of citizen workshops where
the ideas for the revitalization project were formed. These sessions
focused on the need for greater pedestrian movement through the
waterfront area, having the wharf as a focal point, establishment of
commercial development on Water Street, a desired cultural area, and
expansion of the Watermen's Museum. It was during the second Focus on
Yorktown that the decision was made to preserve the 1934 freight shed
building which then housed the old post office. Mr. Abbott noted that
Phase I of the project has been completed, and he spoke of site
constraints for the remainder of the project. He then reviewed the four
concept site plans (options).
Discussion followed on the options, the
elevation of the bluff property, and the proposed parking areas.
Mr. J. Mark Carter, Planning and Zoning
Manager, made a presentation concerning the parking study done for the
waterfront area. He spoke of the factors addressed in meeting the study
purpose, and he reviewed the options presented in the study.
Discussion followed on the parking
alternatives and cost estimates for the total revitalization project.
Meeting Adjourned. At 8:03 p.m. Chairman Wiggins declared the meeting
adjourned sine die.
___________________________
___________________________
James O. McReynolds,
Clerk
Donald E. Wiggins, Chairman
York County Board of
Supervisors
York County Board of Supervisors
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