Council authorizes environmental due diligence for 169‑acre Gateway site to pursue certified‑site status

The council authorized the town manager and attorney Aug. 6 to finalize agreements and a contract amendment with the town's consultant to conduct the next phase of due diligence on a 169‑acre optioned Gateway property (referred to in staff remarks as the Brenda Davies / Tobacco Road Holdings property) near Interstate 85 and Gate 2 Road.

Town staff explained the second batch of work includes creating property transects (paths) to enable wetlands delineation and rock borings, a phase‑1 environmental assessment and additional environmental reports needed to pursue North Carolina Department of Commerce certified‑site status. Staff said vegetation density delayed earlier work and that, once underway, the full process could take about 8–10 months.

Staff emphasized no additional general‑fund dollars are being requested; funds are already budgeted in a dedicated fund. The council voted to authorize the town manager and attorney to finalize agreements and to amend the consultant contract to proceed with the environmental assessments and transect work.

Council members will be updated as the due diligence proceeds; if the work shows the site is not marketable, staff said the town can decline to exercise the option.