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Stallings council weighs patience versus active reuse for town‑owned 'town center' parcel
Summary
Councilmembers and staff debated options for a town‑owned parcel intended for a future town center: the property (acquired for about $2.8 million) is being held pending road improvements, but building‑code constraints, parking and staff capacity limit immediate event programming; a UNC grad student study was proposed to re‑examine reuse options.
Councilmembers discussed the town’s strategy for a town‑owned parcel and adjoining properties on June 22, weighing a buy‑and‑hold approach (to preserve future town‑center options) against interim activation for events or short‑term uses.
Alex, a town staff member, reminded the council that staff purchased the property to prevent a long‑term lease that could have locked the site into a single use and to preserve options for a future public‑private town center. Council discussion noted that major road construction and uncertainty about sewer capacity make near‑term redevelopment unlikely; several members urged patience until road improvements near completion, which they estimated could take several years.
Staff summarized a building‑code review and said the building is currently classified as a retail use; that permits some exterior event and parking uses, but converting the space to frequent indoor gatherings or markets would change the occupancy classification and likely trigger costly upgrades such as fire suppression and sprinklers. Staff also noted limited internal capacity to develop and operate a robust events program without additional expertise or staff time.
A staff speaker said the town paid about $2.8 million to acquire the property and that it is carried on the town’s balance sheet as an asset; the town currently forgoes modest tax revenue while the parcel is town‑owned. Council authorized a UNC graduate student study to re‑examine the building and property for potential reuse ideas and asked staff to reach out to adjacent owners so the town can be an early contact should those owners decide to sell.
What happens next: Staff will circulate maps and property information, proceed with the UNC study, and continue outreach to adjacent parcel owners; council members agreed to revisit the site once road construction and sewer capacity questions become clearer.
