Rocky Mount council adopts resolution to acquire interests in several downtown parcels

The Rocky Mount City Council voted to adopt a resolution exercising the city’s power of eminent domain to acquire certain interests in four properties identified in the city’s redevelopment plan.

The resolution covers interests in 109 East Holly Street, 334 Albemarle Avenue, 334 Northeast Main Street and 203 Southeast Main Street. A fifth parcel, 302 East Thomas Street, was removed from the agenda earlier in the meeting.

Councilman Blackwell moved to adopt the resolution; Councilman Joiner seconded. Blackwell said the council has “never moved quickly for anything when it concerns eminent domain” and described the city’s approach as judicious, noting past efforts to maximize value for affected property owners. The resolution passed on a voice vote.

During public comment, Darlene Spencer Harris, who identified herself as speaking about item 10, urged negotiation in good faith and criticized what she described as uneven treatment of property owners across county lines. “The city paid $17,000,000 to land owners in Nash County with no appraisals, no threats, and no court actions,” she said, and urged the council to consider alternatives such as ground leases and more time for negotiation.

Councilman Knight responded that staff had negotiated with the property owner for nearly a year and that an offer had been presented earlier that the owner refused. He said he believed the city had presented a fair offer and that further delay was not warranted.

The council adopted the resolution after discussion; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes for the vote.