ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle City Council recently wrapped up 2024 by finalizing the plans for its former police department headquarters building that has been vacant for the past five years.
Located at 203 N. 2nd St., the building has remained empty ever since the Albemarle Police Department moved its headquarters to 155 W. South St. It was constructed in 1940 and first used as a U.S. Post Office before the APD moved into it in 1969.
On Dec. 2, the Albemarle City Council held a public hearing and approved an incentive grant of $100,000 to facilitate the sale of the building to commercial developer Victas Agency LLC — registered in Charlotte and owned by an Albemarle native — who will now re-purpose the facility for its own usage.
Lindsey Almond, Albemarle’s economic development director, presented Incentive Resolution 24-31 to the council prior to a unanimous vote in favor of the motion.
“This initiative includes a business development grant worth $100,000, which reflects a reduction in the property sale price based on its appraised value,” Almond said. “In return, the company has committed to investing at least a million dollars into the property and creating four new jobs within the next two years.”
Almond provided a brief overview of the recent timeline for the sale, reminding the council that the city of Albemarle has solicited for redevelopment proposals twice in the past three years for this property.
The last solicitation for proposals were received and scored by a six-panel committee, which recommended the highest scoring proposal for the redevelopment project.
“The city of Albemarle will recover the cost from the new property in sales and sales tax revenue, and the public will benefit from the vibrancy of the redevelopment of commercial historic property and the simulation of the overall economy with expanded employment opportunities,” added Almond.
The appraised property value is $350,000, and the sale price is $250,000 with the business development grant included.
Councilmember Benton Dry expressed his gratitude that the sale of the building had finally been initiated after a long period of stagnation.
“I just want to thank you for the hard work that you’ve done,” Dry said. “This police station has been sitting empty for a long time. Thank you for the hard work of bringing this to fruition. It’s another jewel that’s going to be in the crown of Albemarle.”
The Albemarle City Council is set to meet again on Jan. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.