Title
Quest Lease Termination Carolina Raptor Center
Action
ACTION:
Authorize the County Manager to negotiate and execute a lease termination agreement between Mecklenburg County and the Carolina Raptor Center at Quest
Staff Contact: Chris Matthews, Division Director Nature Preserves and Natural Resources
Nick Walker, Director - Park and Recreation
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
In 2016, Mecklenburg County entered into a 20-year lease and operating agreement with the Carolina Raptor Center (CRC) for a joint-use facility at Quest in Latta Nature Preserve. The agreement allowed CRC the use of office space, a classroom, a gift shop and land for a new raptor trail exhibit. CRC provided $1 Million toward construction of Quest and was responsible for 18.5% of operating costs. In 2025, CRC approached the County and requested that the agreement be terminated due to the inability of CRC to fund the raptor trail exhibit and cover their portion of the operating costs. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) agreed to take over the entire building and the land reserved for the raptor trail in exchange for CRC having long-term access to one classroom at Quest. MCPRD gains beneficial use of Quest with added staff space, classroom access, gift shop operations and access to improve the land reserved for the raptor trail with additional recreation amenities such as trails and a reservable shelter.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A