Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Grants And Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Spencer board authorizes PRTF contract and adopts Brownfields ordinance to advance two redevelopment projects
Summary
The Town of Spencer unanimously authorized the mayor to execute a $246,813 Parks & Recreation Trust Fund contract for the Stanback Forest Center (with a private $250,000 match) and adopted Ordinance 25-11.006 to accept a $99,800 Brownfields site-assessment grant from the North Carolina Railroad Company; staff previewed a possible $750,000 infrastructure grant.
The Town of Spencer Board of Aldermen on Nov. 18 unanimously authorized execution of a Parks & Recreation Trust Fund agreement and adopted an ordinance accepting a Brownfields grant to support two local redevelopment efforts.
Joe Morris, the town's special projects coordinator and staff liaison for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, told the board the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources awarded the town $246,813 to apply to the Stanback Forest Center at 401 11th Street (formerly the Carter House). Morris said Fred and Alice Sandbach have provided a private match of about $250,000. The board was asked to authorize the mayor to execute the grant agreement; Mr. Mohammed moved to authorize execution, Ms. Moody seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Morris said staff will begin due diligence and design work with architect Pete Vogel and landscape architect Lynn Raker, then proceed to advertise bids. He estimated a 60–90 day design period followed by roughly 60 days of procurement; construction could start in spring and may take roughly six months to complete, depending on procurement thresholds and bids.
Separately, the board adopted Ordinance 25-11.006 to accept $99,800 from the North Carolina Railroad Company’s Brownfields grant program for site-assessment work at a rail-related property tied to the finishing company site. Staff described an earlier $50,000 due-diligence award that was replaced by this larger sum; the town also expects to bring a proposed $750,000 infrastructure grant for the same site to the December agenda if remaining items are resolved.
Both actions were procedural in form but significant in substance: the PRTF award will fund a publicly accessible recreation facility on donated land, while the Brownfields funds move a rail-site assessment and potential infrastructure investment forward. The agenda motions were passed without recorded roll-call tallies; minutes show unanimous board approval for both items.
The town manager and project staff said next steps include the mayor signing the PRTF agreement per state requirements, completing design documents with the listed consultants, conducting formal bidding as required, and preparing a budget amendment to allow the Brownfields funds to flow through the town’s accounts. Staff noted the PRTF grant term extends into later years (grant paperwork references availability through 2028), which provides flexibility for multi-phase work.
The board did not discuss any opposition to the grants during the meeting. The town will return to the board with design documents, bid results, and any requested budget amendments at future meetings.
