THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 24, 1994 TAG: 9409240267
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
As architects unveiled final plans for expanding Ice Plant Island and the Elizabeth II state historic site Friday, Roanoke Island moved a step closer to hosting one of North Carolina's largest cultural centers.
Plans call for adding a 240-seat theater, an interactive history exhibit and a band shell on land near the Elizabeth II state ship. Increased storage, office and meeting space also is proposed for the Outer Banks History Center, which is adjacent to the Elizabeth II.
Home of the state's 16th-century style sailing ship, Ice Plant Island is on the Outer Banks, across Shallowbag Bay from the Manteo waterfront. The 40-acre island now houses the Elizabeth II ship, the history center, and a gift shop. It is scheduled to become a much larger cultural attraction.
During the most recent legislative session, the North Carolina General Assembly approved $5 million for the estimated $10 million additions to Ice Plant Island.
N.C. Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, D-Dare, has said he will seek the additional $5 million in funding during the next legislative session, sometime in early 1995.
North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt also has said he supports proposed expansions at the state historic site.
John Wilson IV, chairman of the Ice Plant Island Task Force - a group that has worked for more than a decade to make the project a reality - said the expansion's benefits will reach far beyond the Outer Banks.
``This is not a local representative bringing home a favored project,''Wilson said. ``This project is not for us, but for all citizens of North Carolina, and all of the hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country who will come to this island.''
Tourism officials predict that the new facility could attract more than 200,000 visitors annually.
``These are not special interest projects,'' Wilson added. ``They're well-deserved projects that will benefit the entire state of North Carolina.''
The Ice Plant Island project will provide an expanded venue to relate the story of the arrival of the first English-speaking colonists in America. Explorers sent by Sir Walter Raleigh arrived on Roanoke Island - near the state ship's docks - more than 400 years ago.
Plans for improving Ice Plant Island began in the early 1980s, as North Carolina readied for the 400th anniversary celebration of the Roanoke voyages to North America.
In addition to being an historic attraction, the expanded state facility will showcase a Hollywood-caliber production about the Roanoke voyages. The tale will be told from the English and Native-American perspectives. An interactive history exhibit will give visitors a hands-on view of life in the late 16th century.
Also included will be expanded parking, walking trails and additional gift shop facilities.
When construction is completed, Ice Plant Island will provide more space for historical research - and will give the area much-needed conference space.
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr., who also serves as Gov. Hunt's eastern regional advisor, said Friday that the new center is a ``win-win'' situation for the county. But Owens cautioned that the area should take advantage of its opportunities over the next several years.
``We're in a unique situation,'' Owens said. ``We're very fortunate to be in the situation we're in today. But if we don't take advantage of what we have over the next five or six years, we're out. We shouldn't drop this fortunate cookie that's been laid in our lap.''
Manteo Mayor Bill Buell expressed support for the final plan, but was concerned about what would occur if the additional $5 million was not allocated by the General Assembly next year. Owens sought to ease those fears. ``I don't believe I've ever seen him as enthusiastic,'' Owens said of Basnight's reaction to the Ice Plant Island plans. ``He'd be willing to give up the moon to see this done.''
The 44,000-square-foot expansion could be the first in a number of projects that are expected to strengthen tourism during the Outer Banks' shoulder seasons.
Basnight backs a proposal to provide $10 million in state money to each of the three North Carolina Aquariums - including the one on Roanoke Island. Funds would be used to expand those facilities.
But the Ice Plant Island project, upon completion, may well be the jewel in Dare County's crown.
``We're very proud of this,'' said Dan Knight, a partner in the Rocky Mount architecture firm Dove-Knight and Associates, which designed the state site's expansion plans. ``This was a challenge because we had to keep in mind that this was an historical center. We feel this complements the area very well.''
The next step in the process will be appointing a Roanoke Island Commission, which will oversee the project through the construction and post construction phases. The commission will replace the Ice Plant Island Task Force.
Hunt, Basnight and House Speaker Dan Blue each may appoint six people to the commission. The governor, attorney general, Secretary of the Department of Cultural Resources, Secretary of Transportation, chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners and mayor of Manteo all will serve as ex officio members of the commission.
Appointments are expected to be made by Oct. 1. by CNB