The Henderson City Council voted 4-1 to swap its interest in the Henderson-Vance Armory in exchange for sole proprietorship of the Southern National Bank building on Garnett Street.
Members Mary Emma Evans, Sara Coffey, and Mike Inscoe were not present at the regular monthly meeting.
City Manager Ray Griffin informed members that in a meeting between Henderson Mayor Pete O’Geary and himself and Chair of the Vance County Board of Commissioners Eddie Wright along with County Manager Jerry Ayscue that took place in late December that the city was asked to move the process of the exchange forward.
The exchange was publicly discussed during an intergovernmental meeting in July of 2010.
One of the stipulations of the trade is that if either entity sells their property for a net profit that the profit should be split 50/50 between the city and county.
Member Mike Rainey expressed the concern that the Henderson Fire Department’s central fire station, which adjoins the Armory property would continue to have ample parking and a training area. Griffin replied that Fire Chief Danny Wilkerson had informed him that parking was adequate, but training would have to take place elsewhere should the property be sold.
Griffin noted that any expansion of the fire department should take place by building a new fire station in the east or west sections of the city rather than expanding the existing facility.
City Attorney John Zollicoffer suggested that there should be a covenant in the deeds of the properties regarding the division of proceeds. He also suggested that there should be something written into the deeds regarding the approval of a sale price by the other governmental entity on each of the buildings.
Member Garry Daeke wondered if the arrangement was in the interest of citizens should the property be given away. Zollicoffer noted that [the Armory] could be sold for $1 and the city could end up with fifty cents.
Although the building of the Armory itself is considered a liability because of various damage, the lot upon which it sits is considered prime commercial property. Dabney Drive is the most heavily traveled street in Henderson.
Griffin told members that it is better in the long term to dispose of the buildings and get them back onto the tax books and in good condition. He called the Armory structure itself “an albatross” to the sale of the Dabney Drive property.
In the end, the council members chose not to make any amendments to the resolution and passed it with its original wording, with Daeke casting the sole negative vote.