By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
A county commissioner believes the county is setting on a mini-gold mine and it’s time to start digging.
Jon Barber, vice chairman of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners, presented a list this week of a dozen unused county-owned properties with a combined value of $2.5 million.
Adding in an 82-acre parcel on Heiligh Road, Barber said the county is sitting on $4.4 million in property that’s not being utilized and not on the tax books.
And Barber suggests the county go further and consider selling other properties, including the Department of Social Services buildings to be vacated soon on West Innes and North Main streets and Mahaley Avenue. Those properties are valued at $3.4 million.
Barber noted the tough economic times and the county’s need for money. At a meeting of the commissioners Monday, he suggested staff begin the process of disposing of the property through marketing.
After a brief discussion, County Manager Gary Page slowed down the gold rush, telling commissioners the properties might not be worth as much right now.
“In a down economy, the number $4 million might be a little high,” Page said.
He also pointed out that when Social Services moves into a refurbished location, the county has plans for the other buildings.
“We will expand into it, we won’t have to build,” Page said.
He noted several departments need space, including the Board of Elections and the sheriff’s department.
And County Attorney Jay Dees said the board needs to declare properties surplus before they can be advertised for sale.
The board agreed to give Page time to review the list and make recommendations.
The list of potential surplus properties includes a group home in Spencer; a radio tower site on Dan Street; two lots in Stafford Estates; 67 acres of farmland and woods on Providence Church Road adjacent to Dan Nicholas Park; and lots or partial lots in various locations.
The list also includes properties currently in use: the county-owned fairgrounds on Julian Road and the N.C. Highway Patrol headquarters on South Main Street.
In other matters handled this week, the board:
– Condemned the rubble of a burned house at 310 Corriher Grange Road as a public health hazard.
The county will remove the debris and attach the cost as a lien against the property.
While commissioners and county staff were reluctant to take the action, property owner Dean Martin Goodnight told the board he had no other way to get the rubble removed.
– Approved a resolution that asks the state to pursue federal stimulus funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation to replace the Yadkin River Bridge and complete associated widening of Interstate 85. Under the proposal the money would come from $1.5 billion available through a grant program called Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery.
– Approved the rezoning of 1.5-acre lot at 3685 N.C. 152 West from rural agricultural to commercial, business, industrial and a conditional-use permit to allow construction of a 14,300-square-foot race shop.
The shop, which will be owned by Robert Richardson Racing, will be adjacent to his existing shop and next door to the county EMS station.
– Approved a permit to exceed county noise standards for an all-day gospel street festival June 20 at Hawkins Loop in Spencer.
Vonda Woods, a church youth advisor, is raising money for an upcoming youth trip. The event will feature recorded and live gospel music from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. with donated food and drinks.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254.