The city will market the Roanoke Rapids Theatre as it waits for Lafayette Gatling to finalize his deal to buy the venue.

The action came following a closed session at tonight’s city council work session and a motion from City Councilwoman Suetta Scarbrough.

The motion was to direct City Attorney Gilbert Chichester to contact Gatling’s attorney, Larry Armstrong, to inform Gatling council will move forward with trying to market the venue.

“We’re not doing anything to take away from Mr. Gatling,” Doughtie said. “We feel like it’s in the best interest of the citizens. We need to market it and bring about a sale. If it’s with him that’s fine.”

Doughtie said it is his understanding Gatling is still working to consummate the deal with the city and the move is not considered a lack of faith in the Chicago businessman.

“We just feel like it’s in the best interest to move forward with it. If he sends the deposit money we still have to advertise it for 10 days.”

Doughtie said the most likely route is to go through the Halifax County Development Commission or possibly the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We don’t want to spend our money unwisely. I think it would be a good resource for us to use.”

In a phone interview with Chichester this evening, the city attorney said he briefed council during the closed session on how the deal for Gatling to buy the venue for $7.1 million is progressing. “He is moving forward with it. He is getting very close. If it does work out, fine. If it doesn’t we need to be moving forward. The real truth of it is we would have to do that (advertise) anyway and someone could bid higher.”

Chichester said he has been informed Gatling is currently getting his finances in order. “The documents I’ve seen show that and I understand he has his financing approved.”