$46,000 set aside to acquire lot in city
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on January 24, 2006 1:50 PM
Goldsboro City Council made a move Monday signifying the city's intention to acquire property around the Paramount Theater.
At their final meeting of the month, councilmen voted to appropriate $46,000 into the city's general fund to be used for the purchase of the Phoenix Construction property on Center Street.
Last year, Paramount Reconstruction Committee member Neil Bartlett said the purchase of land around the building was being considered to allow planners to broaden the scope of the new theater project, increasing its size and including a large parking area.
"What we're looking at is trying to acquire all the property from the theater south to Chestnut Street and possibly property to the southwest also," he said in September.
Monday, the motion read by City Manager Joe Huffman said the city could benefit from the purchase because it "has an interest in acquiring property adjacent to the Paramount."
The Paramount project, estimated to cost $10 million to $12 million, has drawn concern from residents who feel the money could be better spent. Others said they hope the Paramount will be a symbol of pride downtown.
In other Paramount-related business, council approved up to $4,500 to be spent to hire a contractor to secure the theater's exterior wall.
Huffman said the project is necessary to allow a neighboring law firm, Orander and Riley PC, to reoccupy their building at 135 S. Center St. without safety hazards caused by falling debris.