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June 57 1979
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Barnes and seconded by Mr. Elliott, that autherization be granted to
<br />transfer $32,500, as requested, and was adopted by unanimous vote.
<br />
<br /> 79-217 "Submission of a report from the City Manager on the proposed use of the
<br />Academy Park Elementary School."
<br />
<br /> "The Portsmouth School Board has voted to permanently abandon Academy Park Elementary
<br />School, and accordingly has offered the building to the City for use or dispesition. The
<br />Academy Park PTA has gone on recor~ endorsing City/community use of ~he facility or immediate
<br />demolition if no use ~s ma~ of the building.
<br />
<br /> We have met with members of the community and have also discussed with various community
<br />agencies possible short-term uses of the facility. Attached for your information is a lay-out
<br />of the building and suggested uses for a portion thereof. Although there is a tentative opini
<br />that portions of the building could be demolished (thereby reducing renovation, maintenance
<br />and utility costs), my recommendation is that no portion of the building be demolished until
<br />more definitive long range uses can be determined. Basically, we proposed to staff the build-
<br />ing by relocating existing staff already assigned to that area, supplemented perhaps by one or
<br />two CETA positions. There will be a minimum amount of additional funds required, however,
<br />which we estimate at approximately $30,000. Approximately one~half of this amount would be
<br />for utility expenses.
<br />
<br /> I want to emphasize that my recommendation does not entail a commitment to permanent re-
<br />tention of the building for City/c~mmunity use. The site adjoins Woodland Park and contains
<br />a good baske~all court as well as ample parking. The five year Parks and Recreation b~uep~int
<br />for action proposes an expenditure of $100,000 in 1980/81 for addition of a community room
<br />to either Highland~,Biltmore or Academy Park. If the final decision is to retain the building,
<br />then these funds, if approved, could be diverted to renovation of the facility. Another fund-
<br />ing possibility is through the Urban Parks and Recreation Regovery Program, which would pro-
<br />vide 70~ federal participation.
<br />
<br /> Thorough consideration must be given to ths best possible long-term use of the facility.
<br />I do share the concern that the building not be left vacant, and accordingly recommend that
<br />Citx~Co~n¢il app.rove interim uses of the building as outlined on the attached sheet."
<br />
<br /> Miss Barbara A. Ricks, 332 Mt. Vernon Avenue, representing Highlands Forum, presented
<br />th~..fql~owing statement_for Mrs. Betty F. Hindman, President of Highland Forum:
<br />
<br /> "I am writing to inform you of the results of the public hearing held on May 15, 1979.
<br />At that time, interested individuals and groups from the Highlands-Academy Park community
<br />met to discuss Academy Park Elsmentary School. We felt that it was ~mportant to bring te~-
<br />geSher those concerned and to hear from as many as possible what the needs of our community
<br />are and how we could'~h~st utilize this building. The following recommendations were made:
<br />
<br />1. The community feels that A~ademy Park Elementary School should be transferred
<br /> to and maintained by the Department of Parks and Recreation.
<br />
<br /> 2. The building has much potential for future use by both groups and individuals.
<br />
<br />3. Specific groups have expressed an interest in obtaining space in the building --
<br /> Police Community Relations, VPI Extension Service, Department of Social Service,
<br /> Senior Citizens, and 8outher~ District Office of theDDepartment of Parks and
<br /> ~ecreation.
<br />
<br /> There was discussion regarding whether a portion of the building ~hould be torn
<br /> down or whether we felt like we could maintain the entire building. A vote was
<br /> taken and the majority of those present felt that at this time we should maintain
<br /> the building as is. During the coming months and as tbs building is beginning
<br /> to be used as a-recreational facility, we will betters.be able to assess and evaluate
<br /> how much space is needed andkhow we can best use the available space. A school
<br /> committe~ha~.~n f~rmed to coord~inate 'this effort." A letter from Asbury United
<br />~'~0di~t Church was presented with the above letter in support.
<br /> .Motipn of Mr. Elliott and seconded by Mr. Gray, that the report to be receifed and was
<br />adopted by ~nanimous vote. '
<br />
<br /> NEW BUSINESS ~A
<br /> 79-2~1 On motion of Mr. Gray and seconded by Mr. Early, the following resolution was
<br />adopted, anddwas adopted by the following vote:
<br />
<br /> "A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE CREATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
<br /> OF THE CITY OF-P~QRTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, PURSUANT TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
<br /> ~'AND"REVENUE BOND ACT, CHAPTER 33, TITLE 15.1, CODE OF VIRGINIA, 19,50, AS
<br /> AMENDED, AND CONFIRMING THE DATE OF EXPIRATION OF THE TERM OF THE DIRECTORS
<br /> OF SAID AUTHORITY.
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, by Ordinance No. 1968-93, the Council of the City of Portsmouth created the
<br />Industrial Development Authority of the City of Portsmouth, VirgiBia; and
<br />
<br /> WHEP~EAS, there has been some confusion as to the expiration of the terms of Directors
<br />law.bf~'said Authority, and the Council desires to fix the term of all Directors pursuant to
<br />
<br /> NOW, THER~FOR2~, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that
<br />this Council ratifies Ordinance No. 1968-93 creating the Industrial Development Authority of th~
<br />City of Portsmouth pursuant to the authority s~.t out in the Capital Industria~ Development and
<br />
<br />
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