One of the oldest buildings in the
downtown area has been used for the past several years as the
headquarters of Downtown Crossville, Inc (DCI) but action by the
Crossville city council may change that.
Known as the Snodgrass building, the
structure behind the courthouse was once the law office of Charles E.
Snodgrass who, in addition to being a lawyer served as a state
representative and as US congressman from the Fourth District of
Tennessee. The building predates the 1905 courthouse and was built
about circa 1890. It served as a law office until 1970, was
purchased by the county in 1989 and used as the veterans service
office until purchased by the city when the county considered tearing
it down.
Snodgrass building (right)
During the council's called meeting on
July 22, the topic of the DCI lease on the building was on the
agenda. Councilman Danny Wyatt said that DCI had used the building
for three years and that if notice on the lease wasn't given to DCI
90 days before October 31 it would automatically renew for another
three years. DCI pays a monthly rent of $75 and the city pays for
utilities.
Wyatt said he had just discovered the
renewal and thought the council needed a calendar of such contracts
and renewals for future decisions. Said Wyatt, “I feel like we
ought to go ahead and give notice, and I don't have a problem with
DCI and we get back to the issue of the office upstairs.” Council discussion on non-profit office space.
Wyatt continued, “I'd like to make a
motion that we terminate the lease and then put it back on the agenda
in August and let the council decide if they want to renegotiate it
or sell the building or give another agency a chance to be in there
for three years.” Councilwoman Pam Harris supported Wyatt's
motion.
Mayor James Mayberry pointed out the
funds DCI has invested into the building as part of the contractual
agreement of $17,000 over and above the rent paid. “I think they
are doing a great job,” added Mayberry.
Further discussion on the issue of the
lease will come up on the August council agenda. The motion passed
with yes votes from council members Wyatt, Harris, Jesse Kerley and a
no vote from Mayor Mayberry.
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