Roanoke sells 40 acres in industrial park
Roanoke Mayor Mike Fisher said an industrial prospect wants to buy 40 acres of land on the left side of Bud Cummings Road that is part of the old industrial park, but it was not smooth sailing for the measure during Monday’s council meeting.
Randolph County Chamber of Commerce executive director Dorothy Tidwell said she was told a Monday meeting between Rep. Richard Laird and others went smoothly. The prospect has something to do with producing power poles and has connections with Arkansas. No chemicals are involved.
The trees are cut, bark is removed and then they are baked in ovens that will remove 80 percent of the water. The company has to have access to a railroad spur because much of the product is shipped out by rail. The only involvement would be selling the land, she said.
Fisher said the company wanted a good deal and he told them his understanding is $5,000 an acre is the asking price.
Tidwell said it is like a three-phased job and the prospect may be joined by a partner. The mayor said 10 to 12 employees would be hired locally.
Councilmen Russ Cummings and Joseph Roberson asked questions about an appraisal. Councilwoman Tammi T. Holley said she thought that was fair market value and the mayor said he did not think the prospect would pay more than the total $200,000.
To questions about infrastructure requirements it was said there is water and much more than that will not be required. Roberson asked about the road and the mayor said the prospect is going to do everything himself.
Roberson expressed concern about a need for curbing and other amenities.
Utilities manager Donna Tucker said the road will have to be upgraded to an industrial road since others are trying to get land in that area also.
Roberson said it should be run past an attorney, a point later made by Holley. The mayor said the prospect wanted the land “yesterday” and they don’t want to scare him off. Holley said she would welcome any new business.
Streets Department supervisor Donnie Cash his only concern is the road that does not have a posted weight limit.
It is something Laird is working on and once the city sells the land the city is out of it, Tucker said.
When a prior prospect was looking at the land it was estimated four years ago a new road would cost a million dollars, Cash said. The road would have to be widened and culverts added with asphalt brought up to standard.
Councilman Mack Arthur Bell made the motion to sell the land at $5,000 an acre but Roberson still expressed doubts, saying $200,000 would not go far on a million dollar road. He was the only one who voted against selling the land due to his concerns.
