HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0547Lewis Alexander (proponent): Mentioned he was the Chairman of the Iredell
County Historic Properties Commission, and the Fort Dobbs site was the first county
designated historic site. Alexander said that for any construction to occur, due to this
designation, the building plans would have to be approved by the historic properties
commission. Mr. Alexander said he was also a member of the Alliance board, and he
wanted the commissioners to focus on the future. He said an affirmative vote would
send a clear message to the state representatives, to the Department of Cultural
Resources, and to the State Historical Commission that it wasn't just the Alliance
members who supported the fort's reconstruction. Alexander said in the past, there was
not any indication on what the fort may have looked like, but now, due to research, a set
of working plans could be created depicting what the fort resembled in December of
1776.
Charlene Isaac asked, assuming the request were approved, how the citizens
could become involved (a fundraising campaign or drive) in putting the $45,000 back
into the community.
later.
Commissioner Robertson said there was a timing problem.
Mrs. Isaac said this was understood, but she meant the campaign could occur
No one else desired to speak, and Chairman Tice adjourned the hearing.
Commissioner Williams said he had received more phone calls and e-mails on
the Fort Dobbs request than what he had experienced in the new library facility debate.
He said the people in opposition were primarily the ones who had contacted him.
Williams said he was the first commissioner to have a cub scout day camp at Fort
Dobbs, and he had many other connections to the site. Mr. Williams said he had many
questions about the project, especially in regards to traffic and the number of visitors
who might visit the site. He said commercial projects had to be presented to the
county's planning board prior to a vote by the commissioners, and that while he
understood the Fort Dobbs project was not of this type, it had the same affect on the
community.
Commissioner Robertson asked what the debate would look like had the county
owned the land and planned to sell it for residential purposes. Robertson said he felt
sure the residents would want the county to keep the land as a part of Fort Dobbs. He
said the most sincere argument against the project was the potential traffic problem, but
things change. Robertson said that if the primary issue with the residents was over the
money, he questioned where they were two weeks ago when the board approved a $1.2
million Statesville Airport request. He said the land was believed to contain artifacts,
and the Alliance wanted to protect the site by buying it. He said the state would refrain
from spending money on the project if the Iredell County commissioners were not
supportive. Robertson said Sullivan's Island had Fort Moultrie, Charleston had Fort
Sumter, Savannah had Fort Pulaski, and Iredell County had Fort Dobbs. He said it was
important to utilize the $45,000 towards a buffer for the site.
OTIO_ by Commissioner Robertson to provide the $45,000 for the Alliance
to use on an option for the 16 acres of property.
Commissioner Johnson said Fort Dobbs had 31 acres, and this was larger than
many historic sites in the state. He said according to his information, the original fort
structure was only a few thousand square feet in size. Johnson said that if the project
were only for historical purposes -- not commercial -- the fort could be reconstructed
adequately on the existing acreage. He said that during the past four years, the county
had experienced budgetary problems. Mr. Johnson said last year's budget was
particularly difficult due to private property leaving the county when industries closed.
He said also that personal property tax revenues were flat. Johnson said one example of
the budget difficulties was with the rescue squads. He said the squads didn't get an