City council approves purchase of two key properties

MANCHESTER — The Manchester City Council unanimously approved the purchase of two strategically important properties Monday night, paving the way for a new city garage and city hall while preserving the city's existing fire station and supporting future downtown redevelopment.

During its regular monthly meeting, the council authorized the purchase of the former White Chevrolet property for $1.2 million. The site will become the future home of Manchester's city garage and city hall.

The council also approved the purchase of the property currently housing Manchester City Hall from the Clay County Board of Education for $400,000.

City officials said the purchase of the White Chevrolet property is essential because the current city garage has deteriorated to the point that it is nearing condemnation.

Relocating the city garage will also allow 1 Clay County to expand Rawlings-Stinson Park, another step in the ongoing revitalization of downtown Manchester.

The White Chevrolet property is owned by the heirs of Jack and Daugh White, both former mayors of Manchester.

After the city was forced to relocate from its Memorial Drive offices because of the U.S. 421 expansion project, the Clay County Board of Education offered its property to house City Hall under a 99-year lease for $1 while also constructing a new fire station on the site.

By allowing the city to occupy the property, the Board of Education eliminated the need for Manchester to lease private office space at approximately $3,000 per month, a savings city officials estimate totals roughly $300,000 over the past several years. Purchasing the property now gives the city permanent ownership of the facility that has served as City Hall.

Originally, city officials considered relocating the fire department to the former White Chevrolet property as part of the project. However, Councilman Charles "Dobber" Weaver said constructing a new fire station would have cost more than $1 million.

"This way, we spend less than half of that and keep our fire department plus valuable property we are currently utilizing," Weaver said.

Mayor Steve Collins initially asked the council to postpone action on purchasing the Board of Education property because Council members Earl Owens and Mark Deaton were absent from Monday's meeting.

"I would really like to get their input on this also," Collins told the council.

Following additional discussion, Weaver made the motion to proceed with the purchase, which passed unanimously among the members present.

Funding for the acquisitions will come from $1.5 million secured for the City of Manchester by Senate President Robert Stivers during the 2026 General Assembly. Officials said those funds, along with approximately $300,000 generated from the sale of the former Big Hickory Golf Course, will be used to purchase the properties and complete necessary renovations.