Talbots Lot sold to local resident in special board of aldermen meeting. Development plans unconfirmed

During a special called meeting Wednesday night, the New Bern Board of Aldermen voted to approve the sale of the Talbots Lot in downtown New Bern.

The issue drew both criticism and support from residents who turned out to comment on the sale during the meeting.

Following more than an hour of public input, the board voted 5-1 in favor of selling 304 and 308 South Front St. (Talbots Lot) for $825,000 to Betty Wilson, a private citizen of Trent Woods. Alderman Rick Prill was the lone no vote.

Alderwoman Hazel Royal was under the weather and did not attend in person but was present via phone.

A vote on the sale of the property was originally scheduled for the board’s Jan. 24 meeting. The item was tabled after Prill expressed concern residents in the area had not had a chance to speak on the matter.

The board approved the sale with no known plan for the potential development of the lot as New Bern Mayor Jeff Odham said, "in an upset bid, buyers and bidders aren't required to disclose development plans." Odham added he had heard there was a potential plan to turn the lot into an educational hub but did not know anything further. That information was unable to be confirmed before deadline.

Board approves sale after heated discussions

Prior to their vote, the board offered comments on the Talbots Lot proposal.

Alderman Johnnie Ray Kinsey said he had received phone calls from irate residents concerning the sale of the property.

“We don't have to be mad at one another, it doesn't matter one way or the other,” he said. “A decision has to be made and we have to make it for what is right for the city.”

Prill, who has expressed skepticism about the sale of the property, said he presented the board with options that the city retain ownership of the Talbots Lot and commit to move forward with developing the property

“That is going to benefit the downtown business and residential community and will help attract visitors to the downtown area,” he commented.

Prill said he was concerned that every effort to develop the property in the last 22 years has been unsuccessful.

“There’s a message in there that you need to look at. There are issues with this property that don’t make it attractive as a developable property. If it was a developable property it would have been sold many years ago,” he told the board. "Unfortunately, we are not in a position to know what her (Wilson's) thoughts are in terms of future development. It’s unfortunate we’re not hearing her vision for the property,” he commented.

An exchange between Odham and members of the audience grew confrontational when they attempted to respond to a question Odham posed.

“Let’s cut out the stuffiness, let’s get real,” Odham began “Can anybody in this room tell me what in the world would happen if we came to you and said ‘We’re getting ready to give this property to the Kessler Group for an economic development package?’”

When audience members attempted to answer, Odham banged a gavel and pointed out that the city has an offer for $825,000 on property with an appraised value of less than $600,000.

“It doesn't matter what anyone feels tonight. If you’re not going to get your way when you leave you’re not going to be happy. That’s part of government, that’s life,” Odham said.

When the audience spoke up again, Odham responded, “This is not a courtroom, we are not having dialogue to debate the issue.”

Odham said he was not in favor of “kicking this down the road.”

“That is what has happened, that’s why we’re here right now talking about a green, grassy space after 20-plus years.”

A community divided

A total of 21 speakers gave remarks during Wednesday's meeting. The comments were evenly split between those opposed to the sale and those in favor, with several saying they were still undecided.

Swiss Bear Executive Director Lynne Harakal and Kevin Roberts, president of the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke out in favor of the sale.

“Your chamber is a business advocate. I work to make sure businesses in this market can be as successful as they can,” Roberts commented.

Maria Cho noted that the proceeds from the sale will go back into the city’s Municipal Service District, which currently has no official advisory committee.

“Who will be responsible for the financial oversight and who will determine how these monies are expended?” Cho asked. “We need an open system.”

Craven Street resident Jim Polo said he was concerned that there had been no discussion of how the property would be developed once it was sold, which he characterized as a “glaring omission.”

“There seems to be an urgency about selling this lot and I wonder why is there an urgency?...If we sell it and it’s not developed I’m not sure we’ve gained anything but another piece of private property,” Polo stated.

Katherine Adolph said she believed the board of aldermen too often defer to business interests that take precedence over public planning.

“I would like to suggest that this is not just a run-of-the-mill, surplus city land sale,” she commented. “This isn’t stuff that is abandoned that no one wants. This is not a business transaction of little value to this city. This is the heart of New Bern.”

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Talbots Lot sold to local resident in special board of aldermen meeting. Development plans unconfirmed