HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0578 (2)RE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Iredell County Board 9 C'ommissionery encourages rhe
public to attend a Candlelight Vigil to be held Monday, October 22, 2001, 5:30 p. m., at the I•'irst Baptist
Church, 815 Davie Avenue, Statesville, NC to remember these young victims and to focus on the problem
of child abuse.
Chairman Tice presented the adopted resolution to Mr. Randall Weatherman, the Chairman
of the Candlelight Vigil Committee.
PUBLIC HEARING
Chairman Tice declared the meeting to be in a public hearing.
Consideration of an Installment Financing Agreement Regarding the Purchase of
the former Lowrance Hospital/Lake Norman Regional Medical Facility located at 659 East
Center Avenue, in Mooresville, NC, in an Amount not to Exceed $3.4 Million:
(Commissioner Williams arrived during this segment of the meeting.)
Finance Director Blumenstein said the proposal before the board was for the county to
enter into an installment financing agreement with the owner of the former Lowrance Hospital
property for a period of six months. She said there would be an interest rate of 5.5% to purchase
the property for $1.9 million. Blumenstein said the interest expected through the end of this
fiscal year, if the transaction closed in early December, would be $52,250. She said interest in
the amount of $8,700 would be due next July. Mrs. Blumenstein said this was well within the
amount budgeted. She said a request would be made for the interest to not exceed 5.5%.
Paul Smith (advocate) said he was representing the owner of the property (Lake Norman
Regional Medical Facility/Hospital Management Association). Smith offered to answer anv
questions. He said expanded government and court facilities were needed in the southern end of
the county, and the former hospital site would offer space for these services.
Bob Dellinger (opponent): Mr. Dellinger read and distributed copies of the following
prepared remarks.
" Thank you for letting me say a few words regarding the possible purchase of the Lowrance
Hospital building in Mooresville. I am Bob Dellinger, a resident of lredell County for over 40 years. My
wife and I own four improved residential properties in Iredell County with over 40 acres of land. I have
been a county commissioner, served on the planning and zoning boards, and currently serve on the zoning
board of adjustment. I was Chairman of the Mitchell College Board of Trustees when the Mooresville
Center of MCC was opened. It is my opinion the county should not purchase the old hospital property
based upon the following reasons.
I . The property is old and lacks energy efficiency. Utility costs and long -tern
maintenance would be very high.
2 It has multi-levels making it difficult to access all areas.
3. According to the county tax records, the total area within the building is over
108,500 square feet. The current space needs for county offices in Mooresville is
less than 15,000 square feet.
4 The reported initial cost of the property is $1,900,000 with an estimated renovation
cost for approximately 25,000 square feet to be over $1.5 million. This is almost
$3.5 million. Renovations and upkeep of the total building would be extremely
expensive.
5. Currently, the property generates tax revenues for Iredell County of $16,696.09. -tax
revenues for the Town of Mooresville is also $16,696.09 and for the Mooresville
Graded School District the annual tax revenue is $4,440.45 for a total annual tax
revenue of $37,832.63. This revenue would cease if the county purchased the
property.
6. There have been some indications the county could renovate other areas of the
property for rental to local businesses. If there is a need for this amount of additional
lease space in the area of this property, this would take away from private enterprises
that would pay property taxes.
7. There would be limited parking available for full lease utilization of' the property.
The parking that would be available would not be convenient to the entrances to the
building.