$163,500 museum contract on agenda
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on April 1, 2012 1:50 AM
The Goldsboro City Council will get its first look at what it will take to make its Air Force museum concept a reality Monday as an item approving a $163,500 contract with a museum consulting firm is on the council's consent agenda.
The Air Force Museum Citizen Committee has been meeting since Jan. 10 to accomplish its main objective: Recommending a consultant firm for the city's Air Force museum plans.
The city purchased the building at 2406 E. Ash St. last summer from the Arts Council of Wayne County for $500,000 with plans to convert the former bank building into an Air Force museum to display Goldsboro's commitment to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. A committee was formed to weigh the implementation of the museum concept, with the primary charge being to select a consultant to help with the project.
Requests for proposals were sent to consultants, where those who responded were vetted by the city's staff. The committee interviewed three finalists and selected Boston-based Verner Johnson, which gave a detailed presentation March 27.
The presentation broke down the various parts of the consultant firm's plan, which will feature the creation of architectural renderings and a business plan along with public surveys and fundraising counsel. The price also includes $17,000 in estimated travel costs.
The rest of the consent agenda contains items including the rezoning of Wayne County's Service for the Aging location and the appropriation of $40,000 to the demolition fund budget.
Other items for consideration include a bid request for a change order to the Stoney Creek Stream Enhancement Project, a wastewater collection system rehabilitation project agreement, a facility encroachment agreement for the South George Street water line extension.
The purchase of greens sprigs for the golf course, an adoption of a supplement to the code of ordinances and a state controlled substance tax remittance round out the consent agenda.
The council's sole item requiring individual action is the rezoning of the southeast corner of North Berkeley Boulevard and Ridgecrest Drive from office and institutional to neighborhood business conditional district. The Planning Commission recommended at its March 26 meeting for the approval of the change with the stipulation that future plans for the site include an additional entrance from Berkeley Boulevard.
A buyer interested in the land has expressed intentions to bring a restaurant, retail facility or some combination of the two to the property.
Presentations at the 5 p.m. work session include topics from downtown plantings to changes in the city's recycling program.
A discussion on the GATEWAY transfer station and the city's health insurance is expected as well as a presentation on the Internet cafe privilege license tax.