Commissioners to talk alternate West End Plaza design
Published 12:00 am Sunday, October 20, 2019
SALISBURY — County commissioners will hold a discussion Monday to amend a contract with ADW Architects, which has been working to create redesign plans at West End Plaza.
County commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the Rowan County Administration Building, at 130 West Innes Street. The discussion on Monday will specifically relate to plans for possible alterations to the building’s floor plan to accommodate office space for agricultural agencies and and events center. A request to have the conversation was made by Commissioner Craig Pierce.
Pierce said he’s got a proposal that could reduce proposed costs. And he’s specifically requested a discussion about the use of stores in West End Plaza’s main hallway for events space rather than renovating the former Belk building.
“The plan is going to put four offices in for the Agricultural Extension agency, kitchens, bathrooms, everything, and the total upfit is $2.7 million,” said County Commissioner Craig Pierce in a phone interview. “We can take partition walls down, paint them, place sound systems and new carpet in for less than $7 million as proposed. … All of those stores are free standing, each one of the partition walls in between the highlighted rooms shown could easily be taken down.”
Pierce said he is looking for the most cost-effective way to provide what is needed.
“We’ve only been shown one option and they’re pricing that option, and also trying to put the sheriff’s office out there,” he said. “I would like to see more than one option.”
Pierce added that the space up he wants to discuss is adjacent to the proposed area that would be offices for agricultural agencies — Rowan County Cooperative Extension, the forestry service and the soil and water district.
According to Pierce, each storefront in his meeting space proposal is approximately 2,700 square feet, and the total square footage of the meeting space would be 12,000 square feet.
“I am asking for more information, and to get some more pricing. I don’t see anything wrong with getting some more information,” he said. “I’ve been shown one thing and have been told let’s spend $7 million. Let’s slow down and take a look at other things.”
In other business:
- The board will recognize retiring Library Director Jeff Hall.
- On the consent agenda, commissioners will consider approving a request for Rowan County to be a lead agency in a project to enhance election security across the state.
- On the consent agenda, commissioners will consider approval from the North Carolina Department of Transportation to add Providence Church Road to the state secondary road system.
- Rowan County’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System will receive a recognition for receiving the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award for their work. Rowan County Emergency Services will recognize their partner agencies for the role they play in first response to assist with patients and more.
- The board will consider approval of a kitchen design at Ellis Park.
- The board will receive a financial report for fiscal years 2016 to 2019 regarding tax, revenue and expenditures. The report will be presented by the finance department.