NASHVILLE – The Town Council is exploring the possibility of trying to recruit an advance medical center to town.

On Tuesday, representatives from Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting in Raleigh gave a presentation to the board about how their company could help determine the feasibility of locating an advance medical facility in town.

Town Manager Preston Mitchell said that is something the Town Council has been looking at for years.

“As the town grows, some type of medical care facility beyond a primary care facility is a natural step,” Mitchell said.

Town Councilman Larry Taylor said it might work out, and it might not.

“We’re just trying to get something here close at hand,” Taylor said. “This town is growing. People here are trying to raise their families. We’re just trying to get the most economical, fast medical attention to the citizens that we can.”
Town officials would first like to find out whether it’s feasible and whether the town can support such a facility, Taylor said.

Town officials recently solicited proposals from people who work in the fields of economic development and recruitment about determining the feasibility of locating an advance medical center in Nashville. They received three proposals back. One of the companies, Bass Business Solutions, have a presentation for the board during its retreat last month, Mitchell said.

Officials from Sanford Holshouser discussed their proposal Tuesday. A third company, Creative Economic Development Consulting, likely will meet with to the board to discuss its proposal sometime between now and budget time, Mitchell said.

• Also, the Town Council passed a resolution asking members of the N.C. General Assembly who represent areas within Nashville’s corporate limits to allocate $75,000 from discretionary funding for a sidewalk project. The town would like to add a sidewalk along Washington Street and Eastern Avenue from the intersection with Park Avenue to Eastpointe Avenue.
• Town officials are willing to contribute $100,000 in local funding, along with funding from the N.C. Department of Transportation. Mitchell said it is their understanding that the N.C. DOT also would contribute $100,000. However, an additional $75,000 is needed for construction of the sidewalk project, according to the resolution.
• In other business, the council:
• Approved an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, requiring special use permits for auctions in the B-2 Zoning District be renewed each year. Currently, only one location in the B-2 district has a special use permit for auctions.
• Met in closed session to discuss “the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange or lease,” according to the agenda.