Description of the Property
The Master Plan for Dorothea Dix is for the Department of Health and Human Services to make it a campus for its offices and other department offices. Currently there are 1200 employees after the hospital leaves. DHHS have approximately 2800 employees are in leased buildings(440,000) or government buildings downtown. All together the State leases two million square feet of space (almost 9,000). In the next couple years 270 employees are being displaced from Blount St.
The Oak Grove was transferred to NC State at the same time as Spring Hill. The soccer fields by Western Blvd are owned by the School for the Deaf across Western. The rest is DHHS control. The slopes at the front of the property are unlikely to be built on. The field at the back of the property could be built upon.
The State has invested $27 million since 1992 to renovate 23 buildings. There are 19 left un-renovated including the hospital.
NC State has restored Raleigh Lake on Centennial Campus, building densely in the middle and leaving open space. The golf course is to be environmentally sensitive state-of-the-art.
Walnut Creek at the back of the property runs from Lake Johnson to Lake Raleigh and is part of the greenway area. Rock Creek is at the front of the property.
Historic Aspect from the National Register of Historic Places
The property is on the National Registry as a Historic District. The designation gives it no legal protection. There are three contributing structures (two entrance gates and a gazebo) and fourteen contributing buildings* built from 1898-1939. There are two noncontributing buildings (Center Building built in 1858 but partially demolished and expanded (McBryde Building is in the center) and a small engineering office. Other historic buildings are on the property given to NC State.**
“The overriding importance of Dix Hill is its campus design, of which the landscape is a vital and unifying element.” Horticulture was an important part of therapy.
* Dix Contribution Historic Buildings
Gatekeeper’s Ledge and Doctor’s Residence – 1923 (Boylan entrance)
Superintendent’s Resident –1923 (west edge of grove)
Anderson nurses’ dormitory 1915
Harvey patients’ dormitory 1924
Buffaloe House staff residence– 1898
Benner House staff residence 1925
Behind Center Building
Spruill dormitory 1935
Carpenter Shop 1910
Old Boiler Room 1910
Hoey Building dormitory 1939
Broughton, Clark, Brown - a row of 3 large 1930 dormitories along Biggs Dr.
** NC State Historic Buildings
Spring Hill, plantation house 1820 on National Registry
Kirby Building 1924 and Adams 1939 aren’t eligible because they are among new buildings
Ownership
State Transfers
To transfer land within state government, the department owning the land must release it. Then a department must be willing to assume responsibility for the land. There is no indication that any department is willing to do that. Fortunately Carmen Hooker Odom is standing firm to keep the land for DHHS but that doesn’t guarantee the future. There is precedence for transfer to counties and cities. However, part of the reason that the hospital was moved was due to anger at Wake County for using the State hospital and not spending money on a county hospital. A gift to Wake County may not be realistic. We can’t afford to wait to see how it plays out and not raise money. If we don’t need to purchase the property the funds can be put into a fund for building park features and maintenance. Just the fact that we are raising money shows the depth of interest in the park. And by advocating to use the site for state offices should help with the purchase price.
Ownership Options
State Parks Division oversees more rural settings and is not interested in urban properties with grass to maintain.
State Historic Sites Division feels overwhelmed and underfunded has concerns that past private/public funds have not been matched yet the Division is still obligated to staff and maintain the properties. They are not opposed to Dix Park.
Raleigh Parks staff and Wake County Parks staff are waiting to hear from their elected officials.
The Historic Community is enthusiastic about a park yet differ on the value of renovating the hospital. There are some funds available. Some of the community favor private ownership of existing buildings while others don’t.
It can be defined as part of the greenway system.
Ground-leasing is an option if the state gives up the buildings.
Adjacent Property
Catholic Church – 40 acres to the west that will be developed into housing.
Centennial Campus is 1,099 acres, including land purchased (Catholic Church) and 130 acres
transferred from Dix in 2000.