11. Liberia Road Development (new)
Background:
Property on the northeast corner of Liberia Ave and the PWC Parkway is in the process of a two-phased development. The northern part of the property already is under development construction, and the southern portion (next to the Parkway) is just going through the development plan approval process by PWC. Research indicates this property was the site of a camp for Alabama (and possibly North Carolina) confederate troops during the early part of the war.
In May 2018 Kim went before the full Planning Commission and proposed that the developer should install a historic marker and set aside a small area of the planned parking lot for the creation of a "History Plaza" similar to what was done in Gettysburg at the site of Camp Letterman. The attorney representing the developer at this meeting told the Commission that he talked with his client that evening and he agreed to a historical sign.
Current Status:
Kim Brace (Preservation Committee member and Chairman, PWC Historical Commission) has been informed by the developer that the development will include an historical plaza with two historical markers (details to be determined).
Completed Actions:
Information provided to PWC Planning Office on May 8, 2018 - History of the set-aside area in the parking area where Camp Letterman was located in the Civil War (Adams County Planning Department and the Adams County Historical Society).
Establishment of what they call the "History Plaza" occurred in the mid 1990s when Giant developed the property. The area (the site of Camp Letterman) at the time was a trailer park, which the developer has seeking to clear out. The developer proposed the creation of the "Plaza" as a means of public relations mediation.
Adams Count planner recommended that the "Plaza" not be placed at the back end of the parking lot because people coming into the area tend to drive right past it to get to the store.
Given that history, consider a similar "History Plaza" area for the Liberia Ave development that would contain two historical markers - - a Civil War Trails marker, so that more history, photographs, or maps could be shown, and a standard PWC Historical Marker. Also envisioned are several benches, particularly because of the Continuing Care Retirement Community that forms the heart of the development. The location of the "History Plaza" could be left to the developer, but should cite the experience of the Adams County planner regarding the location of the Camp Letterman History Plaza.