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Council accepts naming-rights bid for Historic State Theater gallery; approves sale of two East Dixie properties to local business owners
Summary
Elizabethtown City Council accepted a five-year naming-rights proposal from Magnolia Bank for the Historic State Theater gallery and approved the sale of 710 and 712 East Dixie Ave. to Cruz Properties LLC for $190,000; the buyers, Dewey and Kelly Crews, spoke to council about their business plans.
Elizabethtown ' The Elizabethtown City Council on Sept. 22 accepted a five-year naming-rights proposal for the gallery space in the Historic State Theater Complex and approved the sale of two city-owned parcels on East Dixie Avenue to a local business owner.
By municipal order the council accepted Magnolia Bank's bid for naming rights to the gallery within the Historic State Theater Complex, awarding the bank a five-year agreement at $20,100 per year. The order authorizes the mayor to sign agreements and take steps necessary to finalize the arrangement.
Separately, the council approved the sale of approximately 0.76 acres at 710 and 712 East Dixie Avenue to Dewey and Kelly Crews doing business as Cruz Properties LLC for $190,000. The municipal order says the city acquired the properties in August 2021 for redevelopment and determined it is no longer in the public interest to retain ownership so the parcels can be developed by a private business. The order authorizes the mayor to execute deeds, settlement statements, subdivision plats and other documents needed to complete the transfer and to prepare a boundary survey and a Phase I environmental assessment report.
Dewey and Kelly Crews addressed the council after the vote. Dewey Crews, identified during remarks as owner-operator of Dewsters Homemade Ice Cream and Bakery, said the family plans to expand their business in the South End of town but did not give a specific timeline. "We anticipate that people will ask what our plans are and what our time frame is, but unfortunately, we cannot tell you or answer any of those questions right now," Crews said. He added the family will make decisions based on community needs and family input.
Why it matters: The naming-rights agreement provides a new annual revenue stream for the Historic State Theater Complex, while the sale of the East Dixie properties transfers city-owned land to private ownership with the expectation of redevelopment and commercial activity tied to a local small business.
Votes and implementation: Both municipal orders were read, moved and adopted during the special meeting. Each order authorizes the mayor or the mayor's designee to take steps necessary to complete the agreements and conveyance.
