NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Five months after New Hanover County canceled plans to acquire the Cheetah Premier Gentlemen’s Club by eminent domain, the county has taken up the strip club’s offer to work together to solve parking problems.
READ MORE: County’s eminent domain billing ticks up to $95K, Cheetah parking agreement back on table
“I’m glad that we were able to come to an agreement and we can coexist,” Cheetah property owner Jerry Reid told Port City Daily Monday.
Cheetah offered its 74 parking spaces for free for county use in November — 30 of which are already owned by the county — but New Hanover officials said it wasn’t viable at the time. An August-written memo noted the county’s parking needs far exceeded initial projections from its 2021 parking study, completed for the newly built government headquarters, located next door to the club. Cheetah and the government center have been neighbors for 20 years.
County officials argued purchasing and demolishing the Cheetah property was necessary to meet its parking demands and spent $95,000 over seven months strategizing on obtaining it. County commissioners’ authorized a $2.3 million purchase of the strip club via eminent domain, but after public backlash, they rescinded the move in December and agreed to continue pursuing the property through a voluntary purchase.
Negotiations appear to have concluded with an official parking agreement, signed Monday, April 28, by Reid. The county also has one with its other neighbor, Ten Pin Alley and Breaktime.
County manager Chris Coudriet, county attorney Kemp Burpeau, and clerk to the board Kym Cromwell signed off on Cheetah’s agreement in March. The agreement gives county employees, invitees, agents, and other affiliates the right to use Cheetah parking Monday through Friday, but notes it cannot be utilized for vehicle storage or overnight parking.
Cheetah agreed to cover maintenance costs for paved surfaces and curbs included in the shared area.
The agreement lasts until December 18, 2024, with four five-year renewal terms. Renewals go into effect automatically unless Cheetah gives the county 120-day notice of its desire to end the agreement.
The signed document grants the county authority to terminate the parking agreement “at any time and for any reason,” but Cheetah’s attorney did not foresee any issues with the stipulation.
“The agreement is for the benefit of the county citizenry,” Cheetah legal counsel Mike Barber said. “We do not need additional parking and we were happy to allow that level of flexibility to the county.”
PCD asked the county if it has determined other means of addressing the government center’s parking issues beyond the Cheetah agreement, but did not receive an answer by press.
In January, spokesperson Josh Smith said the county is exploring an agreement with the government center’s developer, Cape Fear FD Stonewater. It’s building a mixed-use complex next to the government center. Its partners previously told PCD and The Assembly they would assist with the issue.
CATCH UP ON PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
‘Our building is completely full’: NHC argues parking needs justify eminent domain of strip club
Cheetah offers county 74 parking spots ‘at no cost to the taxpayer’ to avoid eminent domain
NHC commissioner pushes for negotiations with strip club over eminent domain
County: Cheetah’s free parking offer is not a ‘viable permanent solution’
County rescinds Cheetah eminent domain authorization, wants to negotiate buying the property
County paid Ward & Smith $25k for legal counsel on eminent domain of strip club
County’s eminent domain billing ticks up to $95K, Cheetah parking agreement back on table
Tips or comments? Email journalist Peter Castagno at peter@localdailymedia.com.
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