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Council approves sale of 112 West Union Street to Cranford Hospitality; development agreement cleared
Summary
Morganton City Council on Oct. 6 approved a development agreement to sell 112 West Union Street to Cranford Properties of North Carolina LLC, clearing a right-of-first-refusal issue and allowing the developer to proceed with plans for a restaurant called The Union.
MORGANTON, N.C. — The Morganton City Council on Oct. 6 approved a development agreement to sell city-owned property at 112 West Union Street to Cranford Properties of North Carolina LLC and cleared an outstanding right-of-first-refusal, allowing the developer to move forward with rehabilitation and a restaurant concept.
The vote follows a presentation from Zach Cranford of Cranford Hospitality, who described plans for a new American grill called The Union that he said would operate at least six days a week offering lunch and dinner, occasional breakfast or brunch, and a full bar. Cranford told the council the concept is “tailored to the needs of Morganton” and showed exterior renderings and branding materials.
Council approval completes the transaction steps the council began in September, when the city declared 112 West Union Street surplus and accepted Cranford’s offer after an upset-bid period produced no qualifying bids. City staff and the developer also negotiated an agreement to resolve a right-of-first-refusal held by the McGimpseys; council later approved a termination of that right so the sale may close.
Zach Cranford, speaking for the family-owned development group, said the Cranford businesses currently operate multiple food and beverage concepts in the greater Hickory area and employ roughly 150 people locally. Cranford said the new restaurant would be called The Union “to signify a place for the community to come together to break bread.” He displayed a rendering and referenced a project landing page at www.unionmorganton.com.
Councilman Chris Jernigan made the motion to approve the development agreement; Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Kato seconded. The council then voted in favor. Shortly afterward, Jernigan moved — and Butch McSwain seconded — approval of an agreement terminating the McGimpseys’ right of first refusal; the council approved that motion as well.
The contracts approved direct the mayor and the city manager to execute the documents and permit technical, clerical or editorial amendments as needed. City staff noted the sale followed the required public-notice and upset-bid process under state law.
The council did not discuss a sale price in detail during the public portion of the presentation; sale terms and closing logistics were included in the agreements on file with the city clerk.
Speakers in the meeting who addressed the proposal included Zach Cranford (developer), Kent Cranford (family, present), Sally Sandy (city manager), Mayor Ronnie Thompson and council members who moved and seconded the motions.
The council’s approval allows Cranford Hospitality to begin formalizing design and construction steps described in the development agreement.
