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up and over the Cape Fear/Neuse river basin ridge line, to the County’s Seven Mile Creek
Nature Preserve and on to Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, where it would connect
with the Town of Hillsborough’s Riverwalk. The Town’s Riverwalk was envisioned to be part of
the MST, and it will be dedicated as part of the trail in 2016. After exiting Riverwalk to the east,
the MST continues onto trails located on the Classical American Homes Trust and other lands,
before heading east into Eno River State Park.
e) Tourism
COUNTY Staff: Laurie Paolicelli
Laurie Paolicelli, Orange County Community Relations Director, said the Riverwalk was
envisioned 10 years ago, and it has transformed the community in that time.
Laurie Paolicelli said the mainstay of Hillsborough is its people, and there is a sense of
place here in Town. She said the greatest demand, from a tourism standpoint, is for hotels,
and that right developer and location is being sought. She said the second demand is for a
performing arts center for this area. She handed out a photo book of the Town to each official
prior to the meeting.
Laurie Paolicelli said the other hot topic is agri-tourism and pick-your-own farms. She
said Orange County is the pilot county for a Department of Agricutlure agri-tourism app, which
will premiere in June.
Laurie Paolicelli said her role is expanding to community relations, and Orange County
is reviewing its online communication; specifically communication with the northern part of the
County where Internet access is sporadic.
Laurie Paolicelli explained the photojournalistic Vitamin O project.
Commissioner Dorosin referred to the desired arts performance space, and asked if the
Whitted Center can be used in such a capacity.
Mayor Stevens said several cultural and art events have occurred in the Whitted Center
over the past year.
Shannon Campbell said the arts community is looking for a more multi-purpose area
that is specifically dedicated to the arts. She said Hillsborough has seen a lot of media
attention lately regarding tourism, with specific attention on food and beverage sites. She said
the Town is highlighting recreational and shopping opportunities to encourage people to view
Hillsborough as a place that offers all types of attractions.
2. Planning/Development
a) Collins Ridge and Effect on School Facility Needs /Rail Station Area/Daniel Boone
Village; Other)
COUNTY Staff: Craig Benedict; TOWN Staff: Margaret Hauth
Craig Benedict said there is a conversation with the State regarding the widening of
Churton Street.
Chair McKee said the Collins Ridge property, and its effect on school facility needs, was
discussed earlier in the meeting.
Margaret Hauth said the train station is a fully funded project through the Town
Improvement Plan (TIP). She said the Town has secured the services of Summit Design and
Engineering, as well as Surface 678, to work on a conceptual layout of the 20 acres, to identify
the footprint that will be subject to review. She said the conceptual process should be wrapped
up in the spring or at the start of the fiscal year. She said all partners are working together
effectively, and this is an exciting project.
b) US 70 Corridor Update on Redevelopment
COUNTY Staff: Craig Benedict; TOWN Staff: Margaret Hauth