MenuMordecai Historic Park Interpretive Center
This project is being led by: Parks and Recreation
Project Team
Clearscapes
Kimley-Horn
SUD
Current Activity
Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) District: Mordecai
On August 7, City Council approved the schematic concept and design approach for the Mordecai Historic Park Interpretive Center project, and authorized staff to proceed to construction documents and bidding contingent upon variance approval by the Board of Adjustment.
On August 13, the Board of Adjustment approved the Parking and Transitional Protective Yard variances.
Status
Design Phase
History and Background
Mordecai Historic Park is located at One Mimosa Street, near downtown Raleigh in the historic Mordecai neighborhood. It offers unique structural and site features of historical significance such as the Mordecai House dated to the 1700's. The 1989 adopted master plan for the park recommends a 5,500+/- square-foot visitor center to be used for interpretive displays, offices, and educational programs. The original building design was intended to keep with the historical context and architectural character of the surrounding area.
Construction of a new interpretive center on the historic park site would have required an amendment to the original master plan. However, after an extensive public participation process on the master plan amendment, City Council approved the location and purchase of 1101 Wake Forest Road to serve as the new interpretive center. The new site and building are located outside of the existing park site and therefore no master plan amendment is required.
Project Scope
The originally proposed building program included a vestibule, lobby, reception area, open floor exhibit space to accommodate wall display and moveable modular cases, gift shop, multipurpose room, offices, library/archive, breakroom, restrooms, storage and accessory spaces.
The property at 1101 Wake Forest Road consists of nearly half an acre of land and a 4,700 sf house that was constructed in 1920's. The existing house will be renovated to accommodate a revised building program.
Project Schedule
Master Plan Amendment: October 2010 - February 2012
Design Development and Construction Documents: Spring 2012 - Fall 2012
Bidding and Construction: 2012-2013
Budget
$1,500,000
Meeting Schedules
| Master plan amendment kick-off, programming, analysis, alternative site concepts: |
October 2010 |
| Public meeting: | November 2010 |
| Raleigh Historic District Commission Review: | January 2011 |
| Raleigh Historic District Commission review and Certificate of Appropriateness approval: |
April 2011 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Greenway Advisory Board review and public meeting: |
June 2011 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Greenway Advisory Board Update |
January 19, 2012 |
| Public input meeting to review the proposed revised location: |
February 2, 2012 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Greenway Advisory Board review and comment on the proposed revised location: |
February 16, 2012 |
| City Council approval of new location: | February 21, 2012 |
| Public input meeting to review schematic design: |
July 12, 2012 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Greenway Advisory Board review: |
July 19, 2012 |
