Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Surplus Property Sale topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board discusses sale of former farmers-market lot at Mary Potter campus; Mary Potter Club concerns raised
Summary
Board reviewed two bids for a surplus lot adjacent to the Mary Potter campus and discussed the advertised "up-sell" process; alumni club members and some board members urged consideration of the Mary Potter Alumni Club’s historical ties to the site.
Granville County Schools board members discussed the possible sale of a small lot currently used for a farmers market adjacent to the Mary Potter campus and heard appeals to consider the Mary Potter Alumni Club’s interests before completing a sale.
District staff said the district received two bids on the parcel: one for $2,000 and a higher bid for $15,000. Board counsel explained that under the district’s surplus-land process, the board may accept a high bid and then advertise that price, allowing other parties to submit higher offers in an "up-sell" process with a short public-bid period between each round.
Several board members said the parcel has deep ties to the Mary Potter campus and asked staff to be mindful of the Mary Potter Alumni Club, which has used adjacent parking and facilities for decades. One board member recalled attending school and band practice on the campus and said she would prefer the alumni club have an opportunity to acquire the property.
Legal and procedural details Board counsel described the mechanics of the sale process: if the board accepts a bid the district will publish the accepted price and invite higher offers; each subsequent higher offer would be published and open for further competitive bids. Counsel also noted deed language affecting the parcel, including a historic deed that allowed the Mary Potter Club continued use of parking on the Farmers Market property; that easement or use right would remain a point for the buyer to resolve with the club.
Board discussion and status Board members asked whether accepting the current high bid would preclude the Mary Potter Alumni Club from making a higher offer; counsel answered the club could submit a higher bid during the advertised up-sell period. Several board members said they wanted to give the alumni club a fair chance and asked staff to proceed cautiously; others noted the district had incurred costs maintaining unused properties and had previously moved to surplus land to remove ongoing liabilities.
No final sale resolution was recorded in the public portion of the meeting. Staff told the board the legal resolution necessary to initiate the public up-sell advertisement is available if the board chooses to accept the current high bid and begin the competitive process.
Context and next steps The parcel under discussion is part of a larger campus that includes the Mary Potter buildings; board members noted the campus’ historical importance to Black education in Granville County. Staff will return to the board with the formal resolution to accept a high bid and start the advertising process if the board chooses to do so. Board counsel noted the up-sell process can be slow because each new high bid is re-advertised and given a period for others to respond.
