Council tables purchase of White Chevrolet property

Members say they want tour, renovation costs before approving

Posted Friday, May 22, 2026 8:42 am

Timeline: Manchester City Hall, Board of Education Agreement and Proposed New City Complex

Around 2014

• The City of Manchester lost its former city hall during the expansion project on Memorial Drive.

• Following the loss of the building, city government was forced to relocate operations.

2014–2016

• The city rented office space in downtown Manchester at approximately $3,000 per month.

• The temporary arrangement placed additional financial strain on the city.

May 2016

• The Clay County Board of Education entered into an agreement with the City of Manchester during the administration of then-Mayor James Ed Garrison.

• Under the agreement, the city was allowed to use the former Manchester Elementary School property free of charge for city hall operations.

• The agreement also allowed construction of the Manchester Fire Department at the property.

Terms of the Agreement

• In exchange for the free use of the property, members of the Clay County High School boys and girls golf teams were permitted to play at Big Hickory Golf Course free during golf season.

• The lease agreement also included a clause stating that ownership of the fire department building would revert back to the Clay County Board of Education if the fire department ever vacated the property.

2016–2026

• The city continued operating city hall from the former Manchester Elementary property.

• Based on the previously estimated $3,000 monthly rental rate, the agreement with the Board of Education is estimated to have saved the City of Manchester approximately $360,000 over the last 10 years in avoided rental costs.

Recent Months (2025–2026)

• Discussions began involving the possible purchase of the former White Chevrolet property on old U.S. 421 for a new city complex.

• Mayor Steve Collins stated Senate President Robert Stivers helped secure a $1.5 million allocation for the city after conversations with council members regarding the project.

Proposed Funding Structure

• Approximately $1.2 million is estimated for purchase and renovation of the property.

• The proposal includes:

o $300,000 remaining from the state allocation after purchase costs.

o $300,000 from proceeds generated by the sale of Big Hickory Golf Course.

o Roughly $600,000 projected for renovations.

Monday Night Council Meeting (2026)

• The Manchester City Council voted 6-1 to table the proposal for the new city complex.

• Councilwoman Dorothy Sizemore said council members needed more details about the building’s condition and renovation needs before approving the project.

• Council members requested a future meeting with the architect involved in the proposal.

Additional Discussion During Meeting

• Mayor Collins stated the city’s current facilities are no longer adequately serving residents, specifically citing the need for a drive-thru at the water department for elderly and disabled customers.

• Councilman Charles “Dobber” Weaver asked whether the Board of Education had been notified about the possible relocation.

• Collins stated the city had not yet discussed the matter with the Board of Education.

• Officials also confirmed the city has not formally notified the Board of Education about plans to potentially vacate the current property.

MANCHESTER — The Manchester City Council voted Monday night to table a proposal involving the purchase and renovation of the former White Chevrolet property on old U.S. 421 for a new city complex.

The motion to table was made by Councilwoman Dorothy Sizemore, who said council members needed more information before moving forward with the estimated $1.2 million project.

Council members also requested a meeting with the architect involved in the proposal to better understand the scope of renovations and the overall condition of the building.

“Right now all we know is it’s $1.2 million dollars,” Sizemore said. “We don’t know what kind of condition the building is in, what needs done, etc.”

According to Steve Collins, Senate President Robert Stivers secured a $1.5 million allocation for the city after discussions with council members regarding the possibility of purchasing the property.

Collins said the current financial plan includes approximately $600,000 for renovations to the building. That amount would consist of $300,000 remaining from the state allocation and another $300,000 generated from the recent sale of Big Hickory Golf Course.

The mayor defended the need for a new city complex, saying the current setup does not adequately serve residents.

“Our water department needs a drive-thru,” Collins said. “We have customers that have a very hard time getting out and coming in to make their payments.”

Collins said he would schedule a future meeting between council members and the architect so the project could be reviewed in more detail before another vote is considered.

The motion to table passed by a 6-1 vote. Councilwoman Betty Meredith was absent from the meeting.

The discussion also revisited the city’s long-standing search for a permanent home after the former city hall was displaced around 2014 during the expansion of Memorial Drive.

Following the loss of the building, the city initially rented office space in downtown Manchester at an estimated cost of $3,000 per month. Financial challenges later prompted the city to seek another option.

In May 2016, the Clay County Board of Education entered into an agreement with the city under then-Mayor James Ed Garrison, allowing the city to use the former Manchester Elementary School property free of charge for city hall operations. The agreement also permitted construction of a fire department at the site.

In exchange, members of the Clay County High School boys and girls golf teams were allowed to play at Big Hickory Golf Course free during the golf season.

Over the past 10 years, the arrangement is estimated to have saved the city approximately $360,000 in rental costs.

Councilman Charles “Dobber” Weaver asked the mayor if he had discussed the possible move of city hall with the board of education. He said he had not.

The city has not officially notified the board of education about plans to relocate to another property.

According to the lease agreement, if the Manchester Fire Department is no longer housed at the property, ownership of the building would revert back to the board of education.