Published: June 03, 2008 01:08 pm            

Henderson County Commissioners to discuss facility plans

The Henderson County Commissioners Court has scheduled a workshop for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to continue combing through a stack of proposals from firms hoping to do a facilities study to detail ways the county can meet its needs for office and storage space.

The county accepted applications through the end of business on March 15. The following day, Commissioners began the process of selecting the best of the 12 contenders.

In April, after months of discussion, Commissioners voted unanimously in April to seek proposals from firms interested in providing a master plan for future development. Commissioners accepted an offer from The Ginger Murchison Foundation to pay up to $100,000 toward the study. The foundation stipulated the study be complete by Dec. 31. Henderson County Judge David Holstein said the plan would be expected to build on a previous study submitted by Broaddus & Associates in 2003. Broaddus is among the firms seeking the new contract.

The plan is expected to focus on expansion possibilities within an “area of interest” surrounding the Henderson County Courthouse. The area includes the properties north of College Street, south of the Southern Pacific Railroad Tracks, east of Pinkerton Street and west of Carroll Street.

The plan would anticipate the county growth and facility needs for periods of five years, 10 years and 20 years.

The study will be expected to consider:

• land available for current parking needs and traffic flow;

• future parking and traffic flow needs;

• relocation options for county offices, functions and departments;

• new facility construction requirements;

• restoration potential of the Henderson County Courthouse;

• construction and restoration costs; and

• economic strengths, weaknesses and potential commercial opportunities in the area of interest.

        

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