Home > Albemarle Talk > Archives > 2007 > November > 20 > Entry
OIC doesn’t need to own building?
The Elizabeth City OIC provides many, important human services at the city-owned Hugh Cale Resource Center. The agency affects many people positively. Yet, giving the building to the non-profit, as some have suggested, would be an irresponsible step for the city. Whether or not OIC is a good or bad tenant, for five years, Elizabeth City is obligated to insure that the center functions according to rules set by the state Division of Community Assistance, which provided grant funds to build it. If those obligations are not met, the city, and the taxpayers, could have to repay the state $650,000 in construction costs. It’s wiser for the city to maintain control of the building, at least until the key obligations are met. On the bright side, there is no functional or financial purpose for OIC to own the building anyway. The non-profit is using it almost rent-free for $1 a year. For now, OIC should focus on its services, not ownership. Agree or disagree?
Comments
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By Butch
November 23, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this
It appears OIC has come back and bit our city leaders again. If they had to stand on their record, I would perfer the Fox to guard the hen house.
By RO
November 25, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
I absolutely agree the city should maintain ownership of the building. I realize the contract is restrictive on this subject matter for 5 years but I am not sure the city should relinquish ownership then. If the non-profit is only being charged $1 then why should they care about owning it? If they do acquire ownership after 5 years and then decide to cease to operate who would get the building? Could this be a case of trying to acquire real estate for personal gain? The characters linked to this story sure have questionable character according to what I have read. The city should continue to own the building and make sure the building is being used for a public good.