Air show parking on council agenda
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on March 20, 2011 1:50 AM
Two issues involving the Air Force are expected to be discussed at length during Monday's Goldsboro City Council meeting, and while one isn't expected to impact the city for quite some time, the other, officials said, is a far more pressing matter.
Interim City Manager Tasha Logan said potential solutions to projected parking woes associated with April's two-day Wings Over Wayne air show and open house -- 4th Fighter Wing officials are attempting to draw some 300,000 people to the base, a plan some council members said would create a "logistical nightmare" -- will be presented to the board during their pre-meeting work session.
The plan for the April 16-17 event, she said, would provide overflow parking both at Meadowlane Elementary and Greenwood Middle schools and at the city's Compost Facility.
But the other Air Force-related item on the agenda is one that does not require immediate attention.
The board is expected to discuss the possible creation of an exploratory committee -- one that would determine whether or not the city should invest in an Air Force museum close to the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base gate.
Ms. Logan is expected to suggest to the council that when the Arts Council of Wayne County moves out of its current headquarters, located near the intersection of Ash Street and Spence Avenue, the board should acquire the building and transform it into a tourist destination.
Arts Council officials confirmed in October that it would put up for sale the building it has occupied for the last 10 years, citing growing maintenance costs and the need for expensive renovations.
And while they have not officially stated just where they would relocate to -- community members have speculated the organization will find a home downtown -- once the group vacates its current home, Ms. Logan said it is a prime piece of real estate that would offer plenty of potential uses for the city government.
For complete coverage of these issues, including the discussions had and decisions made during Monday's work session and meeting, see Tuesday's News-Argus.