By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY ó City Council on Tuesday will consider raising rental fees at the Civic Center to keep up with inflation and help cover the cost of private use of the cityís primary event and rental facility.
Proposed increases include:
Damage deposit with alcoholic beverage permit use $300, up $50.
Multipurpose room with kitchen $500, up $100.
Multipurpose room, small meeting room and kitchen $575, up $125.
Small meeting room $75, up $25.
The cost to rent the Civic Center, located at 315 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., would remain at or below competitorsí rates. The center has four racquetball courts, two weight rooms, locker rooms with showers, kitchen, meeting room and large multipurpose room. People rent rooms for conferences, seminars, trade shows, workshops, birthday parties and more.
Fee increases are necessary if renting the Civic Center will be a sustainable endeavor for the city, according to materials prepared by staff for Tuesdayís meeting, set for 4 p.m. in City Hall, 217 S. Main St.
ěIf we continue using the current rental fee structure, the actual recovery costs per rental will continue to decline to a point of zero cost recovery,î staff said.
The proposed rates would generate a ěcost recoveryî of 40 percent, in addition to recouping the actual costs of renting out the center, staff said. The increases would help the city from a business standpoint while not burdening taxpayers, according to materials.
By comparison, competitorsí rental rates are:
Holiday Inn $1,500 with no food, $750 with food.
Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post 342 $600.
China Grove Community building $100 for residents, $300 non-residents.
Heritage Room $575.
Crystal Lounge $1,000.
Salisbury Depot $500-$1,500 depending on day.
The Messenger Room $650.
Also on Tuesdayís agenda, City Council will consider:
Closing a portion of the 200 block of West Fisher Street from Church Street to just east of the Wrenn House parking lot from midnight to Oct. 14 to midnight Oct. 15 for the Rowan Blues and Jazz Festival.
Closing the 200 and 300 blocks of South Shaver Street Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 22 for the Community Appearance Commission and the Neighborhood Leaders Alliance BlockWork neighborhood improvement program.
Closing the 100 block of West Council Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 and possibly Oct. 26 to replace the chiller on the roof located at 132 N. Main St.
The BlockWork neighborhood improvement program scheduled for Oct. 22.
The Jersey City Neighborhood Intersection Improvement Project.
A $120,873 contract with Charles R. Underwood Inc. to purchase Floway-3 stage bowl assembly for Salisbury-Rowan Utilities.
Comments from Interim City Manager Doug Paris, including a proposal by Rowan County to consolidate the county and city 911 centers into one facility.