New Hanover Co. commissioners vote to begin eminent domain process to acquire gentleman’s club property

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - At its Monday, Nov. 6 meeting, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to begin the eminent domain process for tax parcel R04916-003-003-000.

Cheetah Premier Gentleman’s Club of Wilmington is located on the land designated by that parcel, located at 143 College Road. The new NHC Government Center is located nearby, at 230 Government Center Drive.

Cheetah Premier Gentleman’s Club of Wilmington is the only gentlemen’s club in the city.

Eminent domain is a tool that governments can use in North Carolina to acquire private land for themselves, however, it does require ‘just compensation’ as well as a reason why a government can take private property.

County commissioner Dane Scalise said the space would be used to provide additional parking for the government building.

“The parking lot is full,” Scalise said. “We need more parking, so we’ve had some dialogue amongst ourselves for some number of months asking ‘How can we get more parking?’ We would like to put more parking over in that spot, where that building is. That’s why we wanted to buy it from them voluntarily, but they weren’t interested in doing it, so the only thing that we really have available to us right now is to pursue the process of eminent domain.”

The board has not yet filed a lawsuit but voted to authorize its legal counsel to explore filing a lawsuit.

Scalise said the motion has nothing to do with the business being a gentlemen’s club.

“We’ve had this strip club here beside our government building for quite some time,” Scalise said. “Ultimately, we’re aware of it. Obviously, it’s not my preference for the kind of building that would be here. I don’t like strip clubs on a personal level, but on a governmental level that has nothing to do with my decision-making. My decision-making in this process is entirely based on the need for parking.”

Scalise also said using eminent domain is a last resort.

“We don’t like to use eminent domain more than we have to,” Scalise said. “Eminent domain is a tool that the government has available, but it should be used sparingly. Simply put, we do not have enough parking here. We need more parking, this is a place we can put it. We’ve got to put it there which is why we’re pursuing this legal process.”

State law permits the following uses for the use of eminent domain:

• Widening or extending roadways
• Enlarging or establishing public enterprises
• Establishing, enlarging, or improving parks and recreational facilities
• Establishing hospital facilities
• Constructing or improving municipal buildings such as fire departments and city halls
• Establishing drainage programs
• Establishing access for the public to public trust beaches and appurtenant parking areas

The resolution included a budget amendment of $2.36 million to purchase the land.

Ward and Smith, P.A. have been selected to serve as legal counsel and to send the required notice on condemnation.