Fayetteville Road location could house, consolidate county services
By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
ROCKINGHAM — No, Richmond County is not looking to get into the banking business.
Though county officials decided in 2013 to take over the animal shelter and animal control, the tentative deal to purchase for $1.7 million the main branch of First Bank at the corner of Fayetteville Road and Richmond Road has nothing to do, directly with the financial industry. But it could be a way to save money, officials said.
Stephanie Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
The commissioners adjourned the regular public meeting at 6:05 p.m. Monday to enter executive, or closed, session to discuss “a property matter.” After approximately 30 minutes, the commissioners reconvened and quickly voted 6-0 to approve the purchase — with one condition. At Commissioner Ben Moss’ request, the agreement was modified to include a daily fine of $500 if First Bank had not vacated the building within 12 months of the signing of the contract.
Commissioner Kenneth Robinette recused himself from participating in the closed session and the vote to approve the purchase. Robinette said after the meeting that he removed himself from the conversation because of First Bank relocates to a property his family owns through Tri-City Inc., “I may have a conflict of interest.”
“I didn’t even see the contract” before the vote, Robinette said, in an effort to remain open and transparent.
The contract now goes back to First Bank officials for approval.
The commissioners did not discuss the purchase or the intent of the future use of the building in open session. Moss said after the meeting that it’s a good deal. He and Marian Savage, clerk of the Board of Commissioners, said the county has long looked for a building to consolidate certain county services such as, Planning, tax collections and the water department.
Savage noted that the First Bank location could offer taxpayers a drive-through window — a benefit that could save them no small amount of time from standing in line on the 15th of each month. Moss said the cost of new construction could reach $3 million or more for a similar building. Alternatively, renovating the existing county administrative building on Hancock Street is cost-prohibitive, requiring “several hundred thousand dollars.”
“This is a great deal,” Moss said.
The two-story First Bank building has an appraised value of $1,729,672, according to online county property records. The current administrative office building has a value of $1,620,459 — but the true worth of the two buildings are hardly comparable, Robinette said.
Moss said moving to the 1401 Fayetteville Road location would allow the county to save on utility costs as well. Robinette said that in colder months, the electric bill at 125 S. Hancock St. is upwards of $6,000 per month. Renovating the building, he said, “is almost kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.”
“It’s a sick building,” Robinette said, noting there’s mold in some places. “It’s got a lot of issues. When the wind blows, you can see the curtains move.”
Robinette said that commissioners have been looking to provide a “one-stop shop” for taxpayers and county government services for nearly 17 years. The First Bank building has better parking and is generally a better location, Robinette said.
“Thankfully we’ll keep First Bank here in Richmond County,” Robinette said. “I really think it’s a win-win for everybody. Opportunities like this don’t come around too often.”
The commissioners would have to vote on what happens to the Hancock Street building. Robinette said county official will work with the city of Rockingham to make a move in the best interest of both the county and the city.
