The following chronology is taken from the Trinity Park Board Minutes as posted on the Trinity Park website and from my personal notes. Quotation marks represent quotes taken directly from the minutes.
October, 2004: Park City, represented by Steve Ortmann, announces that it has purchased an option on the North Carolina Eye and Ear property spanning the intersection of Watts, Morgan and Main Streets. No specific plans are available at this time, but Ortmann promises to report monthly to the Board.
November, 2004: John Dagenhart reviews with the Board a wish list for the property to be developed by Park City. The list includes: preservation of the historic house, preservation of the main hospital building, buffers between developed areas and existing homes and businesses, rooflines in keeping with the roof of the main hospital building, no big box or drive-through stores, no student housing, no developments similar to Partners’ Place. No development plan or committed elements at this meeting.
December, 2004: Lou Goetz mentions the possibility of a boutique hotel on the hospital site. He says that Alliance Architecture is involved with the project, that they are still considering options, that townhouses with below-grade parking are also a possibility. He says that saving the house and original hospital building are problematic. Goetz asks for the support of the neighborhood in the string of city and county approvals that he will need. TPNA Board reiterates its wish list. Goetz cannot give any specific plans.
January, 2005: No news from Park City
February, 2005: No news from Park City
March, 2005: Lou Goetz meets with Board, says Park City is considering building townhouses and condos on the property. But maybe will build a boutique hotel and use the house as a spa. Moving the house is “likely to happen.” Might build 90 units. No committed plans or drawings.
April, 2005: General membership meeting is scheduled for May 4 so that Park City can present its project for comment though all drawings and elevations are described by Park City as not final.
May, 2005: General membership meeting. Park City announces exploring a partnership with Peter Greenberg of The Morrison House in Alexandria, Virginia to build a boutique hotel on the hospital side of the site. A fallback plan would be to build condos. Park City says it will consider neighborhood’s traffic concerns, will work with neighbors and will keep neighborhood informed “at every step.” Neighborhood agrees to support Park City’s request for rezoning of hospital side: this would put the hospital side in the DDO3 and rezone it to residential, thus allowing mixed use development. TPNA Board forms ad hoc committee to stay abreast of developments and report to the Board. No firm plans are available, but Park City promises a high-quality project.
June, 2005: No minutes available.
July, 2005: TPNA members appear with Park City before Planning Committee to support rezoning. Park City has preliminary drawings, but no committed elements.
August, 2005: “Still no site plan.” Board acknowledges that the next step in the process is approval of the rezoning by City Council.
September, 2005: Board plans for City Council hearing on rezoning. Park City says that plans for boutique hotel are moving forward. No committed elements.
October, 2005: Park City now distinguishes Phase I as hospital side of site, Phase II as parking lot side. Says that Peter Greenberg has committed to the hotel project. Park City is seeking a builder for Phase II. Concept drawings are available, but Park City says they are not final – just preliminary ideas.
November, 2005: No report recorded.
December, 2005: No report recorded.
January, 2006: Historic Preservation Society of Durham reports that the moving of the house will cost $185,000, “considerably lower than that {price} quoted by Lou Goetz.” TPNA Board is informally supportive of boutique hotel concept, though there are still no final plans or drawings.
February, 2006: Park City reports that it is trying to get a loan to move the tan house. This is reported as “quite a surprise” to members of the TPNA Board. No firm plans available, though concept drawings are presented at every opportunity.
March, 2006: No minutes available. Charette to be held on March 11. TPNA Board members are invited.
April, 2006: Park City reports that a loan has been secured and the tan house will be moved. No timeline or plans available.
May, 2006: No activity reported.
June, 2006: TPNA Board observes that Boutique hotel site plan to be approved by City Council on June 19. No report from Park City.
July, 2006: Park City reports that it has purchased hospital property from McPherson partners. Tan house is being moved. Condo project, as presented at charette, will be 7 stories with 42 units, and will require Special Use Permit for height and density. No drawings or plans noted in minutes. Park City reports that Mark Laport, of Concord Hospitality, has partnered with Park City and Greenberg to build hotel. Says that hotel will have “some extended stay rooms.” Agrees to bring all partners to September TPNA Board meeting.
August, 2006: No activity reported.
September, 2006: Concord presents plans at TPNA Board meeting. Says that there will be 100 “suites as opposed to rooms.” Hotel will be marketed for extended stay, and will have a 2-level parking structure that will extend to the sidewalk on Buchanan. Asks TPNA to ask city to close turn lane on Buchanan Blvd. New site plan shows changes to previously approved plan.
October, 2006: TPNA Land Use Committee asks for site plans.
November, 2006: TPNA Land Use Committee reports letter indicating Concord’s willingness to work with TPNA to incorporate some requested changes.
December, 2006: Park City reports that a name has been chosen for condo project: The Chancellory at Trinity Park. Sales office has been opened at Brightleaf, neighborhood is invited to Christmas party. Drawings are available, but Park City will not divulge details of design.
January, 2007: Park City presents 7-story scenario, introduces Landex Corporation as new partners. No committed elements on plans. Park City will not specify building materials, floor plans, etc.
February, 2006: Park City/Landex present plans, with model. Concepts and reliability of developers are challenged by TPNA members. Park City/Landex agrees to negotiate a bonding arrangement with TPNA that would ensure quality construction, design and materials. TPNA Board appoints committee of 3 to enter into negotiations.
