The Petersburg City Council convened on September 16, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including a public hearing regarding the purchase of city-owned land for commercial development. The primary focus was on an ordinance that would authorize the city manager to execute a purchase agreement with Dale Pittman for a portion of land at 117 Lafayette Street.

City Manager Moore introduced the item, inviting Matt Pittman to present his proposal. Pittman detailed his family's efforts to renovate a commercial property located at 303 Commerce Street, which had suffered significant water damage. He explained that the renovation aimed to revitalize the area and make the property a viable commercial space again. However, he noted that parking availability was a significant challenge, as there is minimal parking on Commerce Street and no sidewalk access from Davis Street.

Pittman proposed purchasing a 2,300 square foot section of city-owned land at 117 Lafayette Street to create off-street parking for the renovated property. He emphasized that this parking would support prospective businesses interested in the area, which have expressed concerns about parking challenges. The proposed purchase price would be at 100% of the assessed value of the subdivided parcel.

Following Pittman's presentation, the public hearing was opened, but no comments were received. Councilor Myers expressed gratitude for the Pittman family's contributions to the neighborhood and moved to authorize the city manager to execute the purchase agreement. Vice Mayor Hill seconded the motion.

During the discussion, Council Member Cuthbert raised concerns about the future use of the land, questioning whether it could be developed for other purposes, potentially exacerbating parking issues. Pittman reassured the council that the intention was solely for parking and offered to include language in the deed to ensure the land would revert to green space if not used for parking. He also noted that the land is in a floodplain, which would complicate any future development.

The council ultimately supported the motion, recognizing the importance of the proposed parking solution for the revitalization of the area. The meeting concluded with a commitment to follow up on the agreement and ensure the land's intended use aligns with community needs.