At Monday night’s meeting, the Princeton City Council approved a joint funding resolution for the new industrial building at the Industrial Park, along with advancing important property transactions and finalizing the transfer of City-County Park ownership.
In new business, City Attorney Todd Wetzel said the joint resolution with Caldwell County Fiscal Court lets the City act as a cosigner on the promissory note with Planters Bank. He said this would secure financing for the new spec building at the Industrial Park, acquired by the Princeton-Caldwell County Industrial Development Authority.
Ground was broken on May 30 for the $8 million Industrial Building #4 project at the Princeton-Caldwell County Industrial Park. The project consists of the construction of a 100,200 square foot industrial building, expandable to 200,400 square feet.
The Council unanimously approved the resolution.
In other new business, Code Enforcement Officer Alan Getz updated the Council on the property at 130 East Main Street, stating that both he and the City have a chance to make a positive impact in downtown by authorizing the purchase of the property.
He added that restoring those buildings to their former glory is not financially possible, and the owners do not have the time or resources needed to take on such a project.
click to download audioGetz said the owners have expressed their agreement to the plan and expressed their hope for the area’s future and expanding the park setting.
Mayor Brock Thomas suggested that the Council move forward with approving the property transaction.
click to download audioThe Council unanimously approved the agreement and gave Mayor Thomas the authority to sign all the necessary documents.
In other action, the Council approved the transfer of the City-County Park to the City of Princeton. This follows a recent decision by Caldwell County Fiscal Court to surplus the park and transfer ownership to the City, ending years of shared management. Judge Executive Kota Young told the Council that the county will continue to provide its usual funding for the park.
The Council also approved a motion to rename the City Hall Lawn as Cherry Park, honoring former Princeton Mayor Gale Cherry and her late husband, Mike Cherry. Mr. Cherry was a former District 4 State Representative, owner of the former Capitol Cinema Theater, and played a key role in renovating several downtown storefronts.
In new business, the Council also heard from Director Joe Duncan, who spoke about the Princeton Art Guild.
In addition, they heard from citizens, who raised concerns about flooding, mosquito spraying, and weed control on Plymouth Place, as well as ongoing flooding issues on South Seminary Street. After hearing their concerns, Mayor Thomas asked them to meet with the superintendent of Public Works to discuss possible solutions.
