1998-06-11 Work Session
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
WORK SESSION ON COUNTY SPACE NEEDS, JUNE 11, 1998PAGE 538
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Work Session on Thursday, June
11, 1998 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 501 of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320
Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioner Buzz Birzenieks; Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.;
Commissioner Charles R. Howell; Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer; Chairman William A. Caster;
County Manager, Allen O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie
F. Harrell.
Chairman Caster called the Work Session to order and welcomed everyone present. He stated
the purpose of the meeting was to hear a presentation from BMS Architects, PC on County space
needs in the downtown area.
UPDATE ON LONG RANGE SPACE STUDY FOR NEW HANOVER COUNTY SPACE
NEEDS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA
Mr. Bruce Bowman, BMS Architect, reported after meeting with employees in the
Courthouse, there is a critical need for additional space. Currently, the three Superior Courtrooms
are too small to provide adequate space for the bar area and audience. With an increased number of
high-profile cases, accommodating groups of attorneys has become a real problem. Also, there is a
need for a medium sized District Courtroom, which will become more pressing in the next three to
five years. With these findings, space has been included for the additional courtrooms.
A short term solution to easing the space needs for the courts would be to utilize the Vice-
Narcotic area on the ground level. The District Attorney and Trial Court Administrator would be
moved into this space. This move would free space on level 5 for judicial services and counselors.
Another option would be to move all juvenile services to the EMS building and bring in other
related services, thus making that building a unified juvenile services center. If courtrooms are moved
to different buildings, the judicial structure will be spread out in three different locations away from
related offices.
After a complete review of space needs, three options were developed. The common
denominator in all three options is to provide an expansion of the judicial building. The variable is
what to do with the county administrative needs.
Option 1: Projected Cost - $14,600,000
Construct a building at Third and Market Streets to house the following units:
-Expanded court facilities 36,000 SF
-County Administrative Offices44,000 SF
-Parking for approximately 100 cars
Relocate juvenile court and services to the EMS Building
Convert the existing administrative building to house the following units:
-The Development Services Departments
-Redevelop annex site to on-grade parking with 50 net spaces
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
WORK SESSION ON COUNTY SPACE NEEDS, JUNE 11, 1998PAGE 539
Option 2: Projected Cost - $14,500,000
Construct an addition to the Courthouse - 36,000 SF
Construct a building at the annex site to house the following units:
-County administrative offices - 44,000 SF (4 stories)
-Parking structure to accommodate 175 cars net
Relocate Juvenile Court and Services to EMS Building
Convert the existing administrative building to house the following units:
-The Development Services Departments
Option 3: Projected Cost - $12,00,000
Construct an addition to the courthouse - 36,00 SF
Construct a building at a remote site to house the following units:
-County Development Services - 35,000 SF (2 stories)
-Emergency Management
-On grade parking for 150 cars
Maps were provided describing the details of the options. Details of parking at the
Courthouse site were discussed, as were specific sites of individual offices. The locations of the new
Superior Courtroom would be dictated by the particulars of the existing building, requiring the new
courtroom to be on level 2 while the current courtrooms are on level 4. The proposed new space for
the Clerk of Court effectively meets that office’s needs for 5 years and beyond. Care was also taken
to group high public access areas on the lower levels.
This would be the opportune time to clean out the old jail area. The cost of pulling out all
the heavy equipment would be less than the cost of providing new space.
The variables of locating other county administrative offices either at the Annex site or a
remote site and parking options were discussed Another option would be the location of parking
facilities at the Annex site.
Details of the additional court space to be provided were discussed, and it was stressed that
space for continued expansion has been built into these plans. The development of the space would
take about three years to fully implement.
Pros and Cons of each option were presented. Mr. Bowman spoke in favor of Option 1
citing that expansion needs would be met, development would be on one site, administrative offices
would adjoin the courthouse, and an improved public presence would be obtained.
Chairman Caster commented on the historic district requirements and he asked if any concerns
need to be addressed under the options presented.
Mr. Bowman responded in order to comply to historic district regulations, the following
points should be considered: (1) keep the height of new buildings in line with existing ones; (2) step
back the top level if necessary to reduce visual height from pedestrian view; and ( 3) focus
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
WORK SESSION ON COUNTY SPACE NEEDS, JUNE 11, 1998PAGE 540
on the development of the building rather than parking deck so visual appearance will be attractive.
Commissioner Birzenieks expressed concern for the time involved with relieving the critical
space needs of the courts.
Deputy County Manager Atkinson stated once the new building has been completed by Cape
Fear Community College and the transfer of EMS has been negotiated with New Hanover Regional
Medical Center, the EMS building will be available for juvenile services, which will free up space for
the courts.
General discussion followed on the need to provide more space for high profile cases. Some
members of the Board questioned whether the remaining space was actually needed by the courts.
Ms. Brenda Tucker, Clerk of Court, advised that cases involving multiple attorneys had
greatly increased over the last three to five years. In order to accommodate the attorneys, more bar
space is needed. Also, with more high profile cases, the number of security personnel has increased.
During large trials, it is important for all parties to be able to talk to each other so everyone involved
will hear the same presentation.
Increasing court hours was discussed. Ms. Tucker advised that some court hours have been
increased, but this process involves costs associated with overtime pay and hiring extra personnel.
Also, extended hours create a long day for attorneys because they need to be with their clients at all
times.
Chairman Caster referenced the DSS Building, which was constructed and leased to the
County for a number of years and later purchased by the County. He asked if the County could lease
a downtown building and later purchase the structure.
Attorney Copley explained when leasing the DSS building, the lease agreement allowed the
County to lease the building until it became more profitable to purchase than lease. Under State
Statutes, the County has the option to purchase an existing building. A developer cannot construct
a building for the county without going through the bidding process unless special legislation is
enacted by the General Assembly. Some counties have received special legislation to allow them to
work with a particular builder.
Chairman Caster requested direction from the Board.
After further discussion, the Board agreed to consider the options presented on August 3,
1998, since only one meeting was scheduled in July.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Caster adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board