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Council authorizes sale process for 131 S. Main under economic‑development statute after split vote
Summary
By a 4–2 vote, council approved a resolution declaring 131 South Main Street surplus for economic development and authorized use of N.C. General Statute 158 procedures to solicit proposals for redevelopment.
The Mount Holly City Council approved a resolution on April 28 declaring 131 South Main Street city‑owned property available for economic development and authorizing disposal under North Carolina General Statute 158 (N.C.G.S. 158). The council vote was 4–2.
Economic development staff member Matt Black described N.C.G.S. 158 as a common tool for disposing city property to recruit projects that increase the tax base and create jobs. He said the statute allows the city to prioritize development outcomes and include performance measures tied to a below‑market sale price when appropriate. Black illustrated the approach with earlier examples in which significant private investment followed city disposition under the statute.
Black recommended issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit full proposals for the property. He said the timetable (if council moved forward) would include: adopting the resolution, issuing an RFP the following business day, a 30‑day solicitation period, staff scoring and negotiation, and council consideration of a negotiated purchase‑sale agreement at the June 23 work session.
Council action: Councilman Huff moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded by Ms. Shoemaker. The roll call was read aloud in the meeting: voting in favor were Mr. Huff, Mr. Meadows, Ms. Shoemaker and Mr. Craig Ford; voting against were Ms. Harris and Mr. Reeves. The motion passed 4–2.
Other options: Councilmember Sanders noted that because the building sits in the historic downtown (listing on the National Register), an alternative disposal pathway under North Carolina statutory provisions for historic preservation (N.C.G.S. 160D‑940 referenced in discussion) is also available to secure preservation covenants and public access while permitting private rehabilitation. Staff said the RFP approach under N.C.G.S. 158 could include performance measures and historic‑preservation related clauses.
Next steps: The resolution authorizes staff to release an RFP and proceed with evaluation and negotiation. Staff provided a draft RFP and scoring criteria in the meeting packet and said they would begin outreach immediately if council wished to proceed.
