Henderson City Council approves multiple property transactions, accepts $750,000 CDBG award

Henderson City Council voted Feb. 14 to approve multiple property transactions intended to support downtown and neighborhood redevelopment and accepted a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-NR) award aimed at neighborhood revitalization.

City Manager Edward T. Blackmon told council that an offer to purchase the city parcel at 427 South Garnett Street (PIN #0002 05008) had cleared the upset-bid process required by state law and staff recommended accepting the offer and preparing a non-warranty deed. Council Member Melissa Elliott moved approval of Resolution 22-04; the minutes record the motion as approved with no votes recorded against it.

Council also authorized the City to acquire several properties to assemble redevelopment parcels. The council accepted a donated parcel on North Street (PIN #0107 01022A) subject to title search and survey and approved purchase of 407 South Garnett Street (owner asking $30,000) and two Harrell Street lots (combined price described in the minutes as $30,000), all via Resolution 22-08. Council members discussed structural issues at adjacent lots, the possible need to condemn or demolish unsound buildings, and the potential to create larger, more marketable parcels for single- or multi-family development.

The council approved Resolution 22-05 to accept offers for two jointly owned city/county parcels (608 E. Rockspring Street and 0 High Street) and to deny disposition of 1129 Booker Street. Staff recommended a deed condition requiring demolition of any structure on 608 E. Rockspring Street within a defined timeframe or reversion of the property to the city and county.

On the consent agenda, council approved an H.G. Reynolds contract for the South Beckford Drive waterline extension and accepted a $750,000 CDBG-NR award to address slum and blight and urgent community needs for low- and moderate-income residents. The minutes show approval of the consent agenda including the appointment of Diane E. Barberio to the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Commission (term to June 30, 2025) and tax releases/refunds totaling $6,775.99 for December 2021.

Mayor Eddie Ellington and Council members said assembling properties and investing in downtown sites are important to spur future redevelopment. Blackmon characterized the planned land assemblage as intended to "provide a large enough parcel for builders to construct single family or even multi-family homes." (paraphrase of Manager comments)

Votes at a glance - Resolution 22-04 (sale of 427 South Garnett Street): motion by Council Member Melissa Elliott, second by Council Member Jason A. Spriggs; minutes record approval with no votes recorded against the motion. - Resolution 22-08 (acquire by purchase or gift: North Street; 407 S. Garnett; 0 Harrell St.; 231 Harrell St.): moved and approved (motions recorded in minutes; where roll call names are listed, approvals were noted). For the North Street gift approval the recorded yes votes list Coffey, Burnette, Elliott, Daeke, Thorpe-Cooper and Spriggs. - Resolution 22-05 (disposition of jointly owned properties): approved to accept offers for 608 E. Rockspring Street and 0 High Street and deny disposition of 1129 Booker Street. - Resolution 22-06 (Disposition of Thomas Street lot and 552 Thomas Street): approved. - Consent items including Resolution 22-12 (H.G. Reynolds contract), Resolution 22-13 (CDBG-NR award $750,000), Resolution 22-07 (appointment to Recreation and Parks Commission): all approved as part of the consent agenda.

What it means Council members said the acquisitions and sales are aimed at assembling parcels and addressing blighted or functionally obsolete structures to attract private investment. Council Member Garry Daeke asked that the council reconsider how the 40%-of-assessed-value threshold for property disposition accounts for attorney fees; the council agreed to discuss the matter at its upcoming retreat.

Next steps Staff will proceed with title searches, surveys and deed preparation where required and will include demolition or reversion clauses where council required them. The redevelopment plan discussed in the manager's report will proceed to the Planning Board for review before returning to council.