The latest chapter in the festering feud between East Point Mayor Earnestine Pittman and the City Council will unfold Monday night.
The new disagreement surrounds Pittman's veto after the City Council agreed to move forward with buying a former Wachovia building on East Point Street for $900,000 to serve as a government center.
The vote occurred Sept. 22 at nearly 11 p.m. after an executive session. In a letter to the City Council, Pittman indicates the purchase, which would be financed by bonds, could jeopardize the city’s fiscal position.
In a report sent to the City Council on Sept.30, City Manager Crandall Jones outlined benefits of purchasing the property now.
“The site becomes a revenue generator as a result of the City Government Center development project, either through the sale or lease of pad sites for commercial use. Either way, the City gets revenue from its investment in the property,” he wrote.
The Wachovia property, along with the current City Hall property, would be used to build a new government center.
When the city first considered the purchase, the asking price was $1.35 million, so Jones said the timing is right to buy at the lower price.
The center would create a downtown destination venue, position the city to host intergovernmental events and generate revenue, Jones added.
Another issue is the mayor’s authority to veto the sale.
Monday’s meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson Station.
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