By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — No bank would lend Sara Jo Bartlett the money to redevelop the old firehouse if the deed stated the city of Salisbury could take back the property.
So City Council on Tuesday rescinded a 1975 reversion clause in the deed that said if the city’s first firehouse was not developed in a way that preserved its architectural integrity, the city could reclaim it.
Rather than protection, “we see this more as an impediment to development” as Bartlett seeks financing for her project, said Joe Morris, the city’s director for Community Planning Services.
Bartlett recently bought the firehouse at 113 S. Lee St. for $100,000 and is considering development of a restaurant and apartments. Her attorney, Jay Dees, said the project likely will cost between $400,000 and $600,000.
Built in 1896, the building has been vacant for years and formerly housed a florist.
The historic landmark has significant protection today without the deed covenants, officials said.
The firehouse is now located within a local historic district, and exterior changes are subject to the review of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.
If Bartlett pursues federal historic preservation tax credits, the State Historic Preservation Office will ensure the redevelopment project adheres to certain standards.
In 1975, the city had no way other than deed restrictions to protect the property, Dees said.
“Now, you have sufficient safeguards in place,” he said.
It’s the first commercial building purchase and redevelopment project for Bartlett, a single mother and airplane pilot from Salisbury. Dees said Bartlett, who was out of the country Tuesday, is choosing an architect and contractor and coming up with a plan for the property.
Councilman Brian Miller said he has worked previously to find a productive use for the old building to no avail.
“I’m very pleased,” he said.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.

In other action
Also Tuesday at the City Council meeting:
• City Council members gave a thumbs up to new downtown Christmas decorations, chosen and paid for by the Salisbury Tourism Development Authority, which is funded by a 3 percent hotel room tax.
Seventy-nine downtown light poles on Innes and Main streets will carry two-sided, 60-inch traditional wreaths with LED lights, large red bow, red “berries” and frosted pinecones.
Part of a $60,000 investment that includes the decorations, installation, removal and storage, the wreaths will replace 68 worn-out angels and stars. The TDA also will extend the popular white LED lights along the Innes Street medians, both east and west of the Square.
Mayor Pro Tem Susan Kluttz said the project is another example of the “terrific results we are getting from that tourism tax.”
The city and Downtown Salisbury Inc. on their own could not afford to replace the 14-year-old decorations.
“Frankly, they have gotten to be an embarrassment for the city,” Kluttz said.
Tourism’s agreement to take over the project and buy new holiday decor is “almost like a Christmas miracle,” she said.
• The city’s West End Community Garden has received a $3,000 grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina through Nourishing North Carolina, a statewide community garden effort to make local, healthy food more accessible to people across the state. 
The Refuge Church has partnered with the Parks and Recreation Department to recruit and organize volunteers to re-establish the existing garden. 
One hundred percent of the produce will go to Rowan Helping Ministries, Main Street Mission and a free farmer’s market at the Miller Recreation Center. So far this season, garden volunteers have donated more than 300 pounds of vegetables to people in need.
With the assistance of the state grant, they have re-established raised beds and a butterfly garden, as well as developing an unused area into vegetable gardens. 
• Councilman William “Pete” Kennedy and Mayor Paul Woodson praised new stop signs in lieu of some stoplights and the removal of “no turn on red” restrictions at several intersections.
“Anything we can do to keep people moving,” Woodson said.
• The city’s communications team gave a sneak peek of the city’s new website, which has been under development since February and should go live Aug. 1.
City staff completed the overhaul, saving the cost of hiring a website developer, said Elaney Hasselmann, the city’s public information and communications manager.
The site will improve public access and transparency and offer a platform for interaction with citizens, education videos, information about business development and more, Hasselmann said.
• Mark Lyerly asked City Council to consider partnering with Discovery Place Inc. to bring a Discovery Place Kids to Salisbury. Lyerly, a volunteer, said he read that Discovery Place hopes to build several children’s museums in the Charlotte area and wants one in Salisbury.
• Fibrant General Manager Mike Jury said the three-week upgrade project, which started Monday night, will add a second Internet circuit to the city’s broadband network and help attract new commercial customers.
 Councilwoman Maggie Blackwell praised Fibrant’s communication with subscribers in advance of the maintenance, which could result in temporary outages. Blackwell said her family was notified by letter, email and a notification on their TV.
Woodson commended Jury and the improvements at Fibrant. He said the key to Fibrant’s success is subscribers.
“We don’t have to hire a lot of MBAs to figure this out,” Woodson said. “We just need to get the people of Salisbury to sign up.”
Fibrant has 2,000 customers and needs about 4,400 to break even.
• Kennedy said while some residents are complimenting the new curbside recycling program, others are complaining because WastePro leaves their rollout cart in the street instead of on the curb.
Paris said he would look into it.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.