Developer urges Reidsville council to back local builders as Penrose Mall renovation advances

Frank Birdie addressed the Reidsville City Council during public comment on Dec. 9, urging the council to support small, local developers as the Penrose Mall renovation moves forward.

Birdie identified himself as a Reidsville resident (205 The Shay Drive), congratulated Mayor Donald Elgorum and Council member Harry L. Brown on their reelection, and singled out Councilman Coats for praise. Referring to comments made on a podcast, Birdie said Councilman Coats "single-handedly orchestrated and spearheaded" the Penrose Mall purchase and renovation and described the project as creating a "domino effect" that will stimulate new residential development across the city.

Birdie said local "low-level developers" are preparing to build multiple residential and commercial sites and asked the council and city staff to provide the same energy and attention to those smaller developers. He told the council the group is "already to invest over $100 million" and that the city has "several hundred residential units on the books and ready to move forward in the near future." Those figures were presented as claims by the commenter and were not verified during the meeting.

No council member provided a substantive response to the request during the public comment period, and no formal action was taken at the meeting on development incentives or programs. The city manager indicated his monthly report was in the council packet and had no additional items for discussion.

What happened next: The council adjourned and moved to a reception; there was no vote, referral, or staff directive recorded in the transcript in response to Birdie’s request.