By Hugh Fisher
For the Salisbury Post
KANNAPOLIS – Monday, the Kannapolis City Council voted to buy the former Ron’s Sporting Goods building at 1230 S. Main St.
It will become the city’s newest warehouse facility, providing storage for Kannapolis Police and the Parks and Recreation department.
The city’s 2012-13 budget included $1.6 million to buy property and build a warehouse.
City Manager Mike Legg said Monday that buying and improving the South Main Street building will save taxpayers about $400,000 of that money.
In recent months, Legg and other city officials have said that the Kannapolis Police Department lacks sufficient secure evidence storage.
Also, supplies and goods belonging to Parks and Recreation, such as Christmas decorations, are stored in several aging buildings around the city.
The new location will provide approximately 20,000 square feet on 2.63 acres.
Among other features, it will allow installation of a walk-in freezer so that Parks and Recreation can buy and store food in bulk for events.
In addition, Legg said, the city will build two smaller structures to provide secure space for Kannapolis Police.
The department’s specialized vehicles, including the mobile command center, are currently parked in the open.
Legg said covered parking will protect them and extend their lifespan.
Legg said the building will need paint, and that the heating and air conditioning systems are nearing the end of their lifespan.
Other costs include a new security gate, shelving and the purchase of a skid steer loader for use in the warehouse.
But even with some $400,000 in costs and improvements like those, Legg said the city is still saving money.
The new warehouse replaces aging storage facilities on Kansas Street and Richard Avenue.
And it will free up the former downtown post office off Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, which is being considered as a possible site for a new police headquarters.
The measure passed on a 6-to-0 vote. Mayor Bob Misenheimer was absent, recovering from surgery.
In other news before the Kannapolis City Council, members voted 6-to-0 to order the demolition of the vacant house at 663 Wilson St.
The owners, Trina and Jimmie Hackett, reportedly inherited the property several years ago and allowed it to fall into disrepair.
In July, when several such properties came before the City Council for condemnation, Trina Hackett asked members for more time to renovate the home.
But Planning Director Kris Krider said the situation has grown worse, with the building apparently having been emptied and abandoned.
“The grass is now several feet high … the house has been completely cleaned out, and we’ve had no contact with the owner,” Krider said.
Councilman Roger Haas was not pleased.
“It wrinkles my shirt when a person comes before the council, pleads for more time and then makes no effort,” Haas said.
According to city staff, it will cost about $3,500 to demolish the house, with funds coming from Community Development Block Grant money.
Contact Hugh Fisher via the editor’s desk at 704-797-4244.