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258 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON 'Wednesday, December 6, 2000 AT 8:00 a.m. IN THE Room 235, County Office Building. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Presentation by Lewis and Clark Exploratory Committee BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox (signed) COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING - December 6, 2000 (8:00 a.m.) Council met in special session with the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on this date with the following members present: Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. Absent: Mr. Caravati. Ms. Kay Slaughter, Chair of the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Committee, explained that City Council funded a Lewis and Clark Center feasibility study following a study by the Exploratory Committee. Other facilities around the country were researched and the consultant did an analysis of market data in conjunction with the University of Virginia and the Convention Bureau. Community leaders were interviewed by the consultant. The consultant determined that there is a market for a center, with I5- 30% of the current visitors to the area likely to be captured, and over time such a facility could become one of the area's premiere tourist facilities. The consultant recommended a building, which would include indoor and outdoor activities, at a cost of $24 million, though the Committee felt that it would be more feasible to do a phased approach and expand up to that size. It was recommended that land be leased from the City or County or a parcel be gifted to the Center. Economic benefits to the area are estimated to be $2.1 to $4.2 million per year. The consultant looked at both urban and park-like settings for the Center. Ms. Slaughter described the current status of the project. The Committee has applied for 501c3 status and a corporation will be established. They will seek to raise $200,000 to hire a director to put the fund raising effort together. The Committee has a website and is planning a Lewis and Clark Festival in October of 2001 which is hoped to become an annual event. It is hoped that the Festival will build community awareness about this project. The National Bicentennial Celebration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition will kick off in 2003 at Monticello. Mr. Cox said his interest has been in part in creating a tourist destination downtown so that Jefferson's connection to Charlottesville can be a little clearer. Mr. Cox asked if a park like setting would have the same economic benefit to the City as an urban setting would. Ms. Slaughter said the consultant did not do that kind of analysis, but she said a strong attraction is more likely to get overnight visitors. Ms. Slaughter said people would still need to be attracted to downtown if the Center is located in a park setting. Mr. Toscano asked if someone could check into that question as he feels it is pretty important. Mr. Fran Lawrence, a member of the Exploratory Committee, said that the Committee had discussed the ripple effect of an urban setting and the ability to use the Center as a convention center in the evenings. Mr. Lawrence said there is probably the same benefit to the County regardless of whether the Center is located in a park setting or an urban setting. Ms. Slaughter said the Committee will want to take advantage of space that may become available, especially public land that would be available. Mr. Charles Martin, Chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, said he thinks it is important to keep options open.