Council votes to sell museum interest for kiosks


In a 5-4 vote, the Henderson City Council voted on Monday night to sell its interest in the First National Bank building in accordance with a Vance County plan and donate the proceeds to the Vance County Historical Society for the construction of display kiosks to be placed in McGregor Hall.

In a guest presentation, Tem Blackburn appeared before the Council on behalf of the Historical Society and advised them of the Vance County Commission’s intention to sell the building and use the money from the sale to “reconfigure exhibits”.

Blackburn distributed copies of a memorandum from County Manager Jerry Ayscue outlining the County’s recommendation.

The Commission has not yet voted on the issue. According to Blackburn, two committees of the Commission comprised of six of seven members recommended the sale. In the memo, however, the only County committee referenced in the County’s Intergovernmental committee, which traditionally consists of three members.

Since the building is owned jointly by the City, the committees’ recommendations were contingent upon City Council approval.

According to Blackburn, the plan would make the exhibits more available and reduce upkeep costs to zero.

When asked by Henderson Mayor Clem Seifert if the building would bring enough money to pay for the kiosks, Blackburn was uncertain. He estimated the cost of “essentials” for the project at $76,000.

Blackburn indicated that he did not know if the building could bring that much.

Henderson City Council member Bobby Gupton reminded council members that the City had applied for a grant that included the building in question. He expressed the fear that removing the building from the grant might cost the City the grant.

“We owe it to ourselves to wait,” Gupton told the Council.

Blackburn stressed that the artifacts currently residing in the First National Bank building are “in peril”. He stated that the cost of repair to the interior plaster work was estimated ten years ago at $300,000 to $500,000.

City Engineer Frank Frazier elaborated on Gupton’s comments, advising the Council that the City had received a planning grant for the old police station as well as the building in question. He stated that having the “two pieces” had helped get the grant.

Frazier said that it was “probably worth the wait” to see what [the City] is getting.

Gupton asked Blackburn if he would be willing to relocate the historical artifacts until the matter was resolved. Blackburn indicated that it could be done, but that the main exhibits could not be moved without taking them apart, and that the man-hours involved would be “prohibitive”.

Gupton stressed that he did not want the City to lose the funds that Frazier had worked to get. He stressed that the wait would only be seven days.

Gupton stated that he was not opposed to the Historical Society’s request, but rather that he wanted what was best for all parties.

Seifert stated that if a suitable buyer is found and restores the building with their own funds, “that’s a win-win for everybody”, if the museum is where it wants to be.

Tem indicated that there was at least one interested buyer who had proposed a $60,000 purchase price.

Council member Elissa Yount indicated that the building would have to be appraised. She said that the price that Blackburn stated was “out of line” with other prices.

In a statement emailed to Home in Henderson shortly after the meeting, Yount indicated the following asking prices for downtown properties:

* Charles Building $295,000
* Parker-Grady Building $275,000
* Amalfi Restaurant $550,000
* O’Neil Building $160,000
* Kathleen’s $75,000
* Early Dawn $125,000
* Old Service Station Building $50,000

Seifert agreed that the building would have to be appraised.

When Yount asked why the Council would vote not to wait for the recommendation [that is the result of the planning grant received by the City], Seifert responded that it would not make a difference. He said that a[n affirmative vote] by the Council would give [the Historical Society] an opportunity to plan.

At that point, Council member Mary Emma Evans moved that the Council support the proposed County plan. The motion was seconded by Council member Lonnie Davis.

Council member Lynn Harper said that she wanted to vote for the motion, but that she also felt responsible for City property and money. She said she could not vote to give away $30,000 in good conscience. She said she could vote in two weeks with more facts.

After Blackburn discussed the merits of display kiosks, Yount indicated that in a previous Council meeting that members had agreed to send the matter to the Land Planning and Development Committee after hearing from the County.

Officially, the City had not yet heard from the County. The memoranda that Blackburn submitted to the Council was neither copied not addressed to the Council or any City staff.

When the matter came to a vote, members Davis, Garry Daeke, Bernard Alston, and Evans voted for the motion. Members Ranger Wilkerson, Yount, Gupton, and Harper voted against the motion.

The tiebreaking affirmative vote was cast by Seifert. As mayor, Seifert may only vote to break ties in Council votes.

The County Commission is expected to officially consider the matter during its regular meeting on May 7.