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Council weighs purchase of Embassy Block to support McGregor Hall and explores local sales-tax option
Summary
Council discussed using a line of credit to buy the Embassy Block (asking price cited at $255,000) to clear blight, demolish structures, create parking, and generate funds for McGregor Hall; Councilmember Geraldine Champion also raised concerns about diversity in McGregor Hall programming.
HENDERSON, N.C. — Council members on May 23 revisited a proposal to establish a line of credit to acquire the Embassy Block and use proceeds and redevelopment to support McGregor Hall, a local cultural venue that told the council it still carries a long-term loan after a key donor withdrew.
Assistant City Manager Paylor Spruill reviewed the recommendation to purchase the Embassy Block and to clear blighted structures to create parking and potentially a pocket park. Spruill said the purchase would be handled on the city books like a loan with both revenue and expense entries.
Mayor Pro Tem Garry D. Daeke and Councilmember Michael Venable said buying the properties could provide several years’ worth of the funding McGregor Hall requested and allow the city to reassess the arrangement after three years. Blackmon said the asking price for the Embassy Block properties was $255,000 and that acquisition proceeds could be used to help McGregor Hall repay or reduce its outstanding obligations.
Councilmember Geraldine Champion said she supports providing funding but expressed concern about a lack of diversity at McGregor Hall and recounted instances in which she said individuals were denied opportunities to host programs there. No McGregor Hall representative spoke at the session and the council did not act on funding at this meeting.
Council discussed longer-term options, including pursuing a local sales-tax authorization from the General Assembly that would require a citizen vote; Paylor Spruill said such a tax could be structured to generate dedicated money for nonprofits such as McGregor Hall if voters approved it.
Blackmon summarized the items for additional review — the Embassy Block purchase, redevelopment strategy and tax-rate-setting — and councilmembers asked staff to return with further details at the next budget session.
