The public probably has some misconceptions about the cost of the new Haywood County Justice Center, county manager Jack Horton told Haywood 2000 members during a breakfast meeting last week.

About 35 members of the group of business leaders and community supporters were gathered at Waynesville Country Club for a roundtable discussion on several county issues.

Horton said because each of the four projects in the county justice center and jail plan were tied together, most were lumping the total price — $36.6 million — into one large figure.

“Many don’t really know the cost of the individual projects,” Horton said.

A handout provided by Horton listed those:

° A new 95,000-square-foot justice center is expected to cost $17.2 million.

° The renovation of the historic courthouse is expected to cost $4.2 million.

° A 391-space parking garage adjacent to the historic courthouse and justice center is expected to cost $4.2 million.

° A new 75,000-square-foot jail and law enforcement center in Hazelwood is expected to cost $11 million.

If plans stay on schedule, bids will go out in January 2002 and construction will start in April of that year. All the projects are expected to be completed some time in 2004.

Horton hopes the state is going to allow a 1-cent local option sales tax to finance the projects, and a local bill seeking that tax has been introduced in the General Assembly. In a worst-case scenario, according Horton, the county would have pay up to $3 million a year to finance the bonds that will be used to pay for the projects. If the sales tax is not approved by the state, Horton said property tax revenue would have to be used to pay for the projects.

Economic Development Commission Director Jay Hinson talked at length about progress made toward accomplishing the commission’s goals for the year.

° Pre-grading an industrial site at the Beaverdam Industrial Park - This goal has not been met due to the expense, but the EDC is looking at ways it can create one more level, 7-acre industrial site at the park.

° Locate a continuing care retirement center in the county - Haywood Regional Medical Center had been working on such a center, but now it appears those plans have been scrapped. Architect Joe Sam Queen has also been working to develop interest in such a project, according to Hinson.

° Recruit tourism, service sector and agri-business jobs - Thirty-seven percent of Haywood’s economy is based on tourism, according to Hinson, which makes it imperative that the county do what it can do help these businesses thrive.

° Work with existing businesses to meet their needs - Hinson said the EDC and the Haywood Advancement Foundation are working with several businesses to keep businesses in the county.

° Market the CVS building - A company called Magnetics from Pennsylvania purchased the building and will hire about 100 people when it opens.

° Support Blue Ridge Paper’s efforts to relocate corporate headquarters in Canton - This move is now in the works. The Haywood Advancement Foundation bought CP&L’s old building and is selling it to Blue Ridge Paper.

 

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