Sunday, December 3, 2023
By Outer Banks Voice on August 10, 2016
Sen. Bill Cook, Gov. Pat McCrory, Charles Evans,. Cultural Resources Sec. Susan Kluttz. Rear, Aquarium Director Maylon White. (Sam Walker)
Gov. Pat McCrory was joined by state and local officials at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island Wednesday for a formal ribbon cutting to mark the completion of a $6.5 million renovation project.
āThese improvements are the product of several years of planning and $6.5 million in private and public funding as part of our overall goal to further enhance North Carolinaās excellent quality of life,ā McCrory said.
āThis beautiful aquarium is one of the regionās top tourist draws, and these improvements will help support the growing number of visitors flocking to our stateās natural and cultural attractions.ā
The N.C. Aquarium Society contributed $5.5 million to the project, according to society board member Charles Evans of Manteo.
The society generates cash from gift shops, membership and concession revenues at the three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, and also focuses on grant acquisition and private fund raising,
The renovated exhibits giveaquarium visitors a more interactive experience as they explore historic shipwrecks in the sea treasures exhibit, the wooded swampland setting of the seven area coastal rivers, the re-creation of the Civil War ironclad Monitor and a jellyfish display called Delicate Drifters.
McCrory said the timing of the opening was important after he announced earlier in the day that visitation to state attractions, historic sites and parks had increased in 2016.
From fiscal year 2014-15 to fiscal year 2015-16, which ended June 30, total visitation to the state’s natural and cultural sites increased by nearly 1.8 million visitors, or 7.7 percent.
The N.C. Aquarium at Roanoke Island averages nearly 300,000 visitors each year, which McCrory said is a crucial boost to the state’s tourism industry.
McCrory also said that more money is now available to make similar improvements to state-owned attractions elsewhere through the N.C. Connect bond package that was approved by voters in March.
“A lot of our state parks, especially in this area, have a lot of wear-and-tear and need updating,” McCrory said.
Roughly $100 million of the total $2 billion bond package was designated to the N.C. State Park system and N.C. Zoo in Asheboro.
$751,500 has been earmarked for Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, $870,750 for Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County, $900,750 for Dismal Swamp State Park north of Camden and $2,830,500 for Pettigrew State Park near Creswell.
“We’re going to put that money into state parks to improve the quality of life in our state and to increase tourism.”
McCrory did make one promise during his remarks about his plans for a future visit to the Outer Banks.
“The next time I’m here, I want to ‘Swim with the Sharks’,” McCrory said about the program in the Graveyard of the Atlantic tank. “It will remind me of walking the halls of the Legislature.”
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Bid Location and Time: Bid opening will be held in the Barnhill Contracting Rocky Mount Training & GPS Technology Room: 800 Tiffany Bvld, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Time is as follows: January 09, 2024 at 10:00am and 2:00pm. Times per packages to be given on via addendum #01.
Barnhill Contracting Company will receive, open, and read publicly all bids received in person in the Training & GPS Technology Room at the main office and listed with the virtual viewing at the link to be posted on Barnhill’s Plan Room.
Bids will not be accepted from bidders that are not pre-qualified. No facsimile or email submissions are permitted. Sealed bids are to be hand delivered to the bid opening location noted above or mailed Sealed Bids can be delivered before 9:00am the day of the bid to the Barnhill Contracting Company Office at 800 Tiffany Blvd., Suite 200 Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Attention āClint Hardison.ā
The pre-bid meeting will be held in Person & Zoom Meeting on December 06, 2023 at 10:00 am at the Barnhill Contracting’s Rocky Mount Main Conference Room: 800 Tiffany Bvld, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
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Bid Documents can be viewed or downloaded through Barnhill’s online Building Division Plan Room (https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/54da832ce3edb5050017438b) after 12/04/2023.
All Bidders are strongly encouraged to include opportunities for HUB participation wherever possible in their respective Bid submission.Ā HUB participation is a part of this contract and must comply with all requirements set forth in the Bid Documents.
The Construction Manager and Owner reserve the right to add pre-qualified bidders. The Construction Manager and Owner reserve the right to reject any and all bids. Should you require additional direction, please call Barnhill Contracting Company, (Clint Hardison – 252-802-0740).
Clint Hardison is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Dare EMS – Phase 2 Pre-Bid Conference
Time: Dec 6, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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