The city remains committed to the action it took Monday, finding Lafayette Gatling and L&M Hospitality in default on its Roanoke Rapids Theatre contract and ending the lease to buy contract, Mayor Emery Doughtie said today.

That doesn’t mean Gatling can’t come back and negotiate a deal to buy the struggling venue, the mayor said. “I feel like we have not had a good, open line of communication from L&M when we sent them information.”

As the city looks at its options for the theater, Doughtie said his opinion is, “We don’t want to enter into an obligation where we have to front money to get someone to come in.”

The mayor said the city would not exclude talking to local people who have a background in promoting shows.

Under Gatling’s tenure at the theater there were 28 shows planned last year, according to a document obtained by rrspin.com.

Of those shows planned, only two — Martha Munizzi/Dottie Peoples and the Oakridge Boys — where held. Country star Craig Morgan did play at the theater.

Planning for other shows contained in the document was never completed. Those shows include the True Legends of Pop featuring performers like Bobby Vee and Fabian; Darius Rucker; Hip Hop Pioneers featuring the Sugarhill Gang and Kurtis Blow; Shakira; comedian Chris Tucker; Jeffrey Osborne and Chuck Berry.

Calls made to Gatling today and Tuesday were not returned.

Sources also said Gatling was shown a list of affordable, yet well known acts, and promoters and other individuals showed an eagerness to provide entertainment at the venue.

Doughtie said economic development officials are trying to bring businesses to the area, including Carolina Crossroads. “Our focus is the theater,” the mayor said of the city. “There are individuals calling who want to be part of what’s going.”

The mayor believes it is important to have an active theater. “I think that would increase the value of the property because you would have a revenue stream.”

Having acts at the theater could also help capture the attention of developers. “It would help if you have venture capitalists go by the theater and see it full of cars. You’ve got to put life in it. We are looking at opportunities whether it is with L&M or with somebody else.”