A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to the maritime heritage foundation of beaufort, north carolina, inc., to complete a master plan for a new maritime museum in beaufort.
Whereas, plans have been made to construct a new North Carolina Maritime Museum in the Town of Beaufort; and
Whereas, The Maritime Heritage Foundation has developed a Master Plan for the new museum that would include a survey of the site, including a wetlands survey, an evaluation of the site for regulatory zoning constraints, an analysis of historic and floodplain issues, an environmental assessment study, an economic impact study, and other requirements, in keeping with State and local regulations; and
Whereas, the Master Plan for the property would include museum site planning, parking location and design, as well as placement of all ancillary buildings and activities. Infrastructure plans including access roads, landscaping and site design, electrical service, and water and sewer systems would be developed; and
Whereas, space design would identify primary users and appropriate spaces needed for the future museum. Programs to identify space requirements would include individual room square footage, primary exhibit and educational spaces, and special requirements for building equipment such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural systems; and
Whereas, building design for the new museum would include attention to such items as energy conservation, sustainable design and construction, and requirements to withstand severe weather events in a coastal environment; and
Whereas, funding is needed to complete the Master Plan for the new museum; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to The Maritime Heritage Foundation of Beaufort, North Carolina, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2019‑2020 fiscal year to begin the advance planning phase focusing on the future construction of a new North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort at Gallants Channel. These funds shall be used for completing a Master Plan for the 31‑acre site, including selecting an architect to begin preliminary designs for the museum and hiring a project manager to manage the advance planning process.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2019.