NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1967 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 1142

SENATE BILL 631

 

 

AN ACT TO CREATE THE STATE ART MUSEUM BUILDING COMMISSION AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ERECTION OF A STATE ART MUSEUM BUILDING.

 

WHEREAS, the North Carolina Museum of Art, which opened its doors in 1956, has now grown until its collection exceeds in value the sum of seven million dollars ($7,000,000.00); and

WHEREAS, the present building on Morgan Street, in which said collection is housed, is now inadequate for the proper display and protection of said collection; and

WHEREAS, it is deemed wise in the building of a new Museum to provide for the orderly growth of the Museum collection in the future: Now, therefore,

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

 

Section 1.  There is hereby created the State Art Museum Building Commission, which shall consist of three persons who have served in the State Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; three persons who have served in the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and nine persons to be appointed by the Governor. All members shall be appointed on July 1, 1967, or as soon thereafter as is practical, and shall serve until the completion of the duties assigned to the Commission. Each vacancy occurring in the membership of the Commission shall be filled by appointment of the officer authorized to make the initial appointment to the place vacated, and each appointee to fill a vacancy shall have the same qualifications prescribed by this Act for the appointee whom he succeeds. The Governor shall appoint one member of the Commission to serve as Chairman.

Sec. 2.  The State Art Museum Building Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(a)        With the approval of the Governor and Council of State and the North Carolina State Capital Planning Commission, to determine the site for the building of the State Art Museum on land which has been denominated as Heritage Square.

(b)        To employ architects to prepare plans for the State Art Museum Building, to assist and advise the architects in the preparation of those plans, and to approve on behalf of the State all plans for the State Art Museum Building.

(c)        To enter on behalf of the State into contracts for the construction of an Art Museum Building and the employment of consultants and for the purchase of services, materials, furnishings, and equipment required in connection with the location, design, construction, furnishing, and equipping of said Museum Building.

(d)        To supervise generally the location, construction, furnishing, equipping, renovating and care of the State Art Museum Building.

(e)        To call upon the Department of Administration, the Attorney General, and any other State agency or officer for such assistance as the Commission may require in carrying out its duties.

(f)         To appoint such advisory committees, composed of persons not members of the Commission, as the Commission deems necessary.

(g)        To report to the General Assembly at each regular Session concerning action taken by the Commission during the previous biennium in carrying out the provisions of this Act, and to make such special reports as may be requested by the General Assembly or the Governor.

(h)        To receive gifts of funds from foundations, corporations and individuals and to receive public funds to aid in defraying the cost of said Building, and surrounding facilities including landscaping.

Sec. 3.  This Commission is hereby declared to be created for a special purpose and membership on such Commission shall not constitute a public office.

Sec. 4.  This Commission shall have all powers necessary in carrying out the general purpose of this Act.

Sec. 5.  In the event that this State Art Museum Building Commission should find it necessary to acquire lands, right of way or easements in order to carry out the purposes of this Act, and, in that event, if the Commission is unable to purchase the same from the owners thereof at an agreed price, or is unable to obtain a good and sufficient title therefor by purchase from the owners, then the Commission shall have and may exercise the right of eminent domain and may acquire any such lands, rights of way or easements necessary for the aforesaid purpose by condemnation in the manner prescribed in Article 9 of Chapter 136 of the General Statutes of North Carolina as amended.

Sec. 6.  All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 7.  This Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 5th day of July, 1967.