Danville council OKs partnership for industrial park in unanimous vote

By Denice Thibodeau

Published: October 8, 2008

Danville City Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday night to partner with Pittsylvania County in the development of an industrial park in the county near the North Carolina border.

The Regional Industrial Facility Authority’s plan calls for the purchase of property that will be developed into an industrial park suitable for the manufacture of hybrid cars. It is estimated that the mega-park could employ hundreds, if not thousands, of area residents.

The city and county will share the costs of the development, taking out bonds that will not exceed $13 million to complete the project, according to the agreement.

Interim City Manager Lyle Lacy told council that the current financial crisis that involves Wachovia Bank, which has issued an irrevocable letter of credit as security for the bonds, will not affect the project.

“I have been told the letter of credit would hold,” Lacy said.

Vice Mayor T. Wayne Oakes called the project “an essential part of our future,” and said it reflected the excellent work of both the city and the county.

The Board of Supervisors approved a $4.19 million bond Monday night to purchase the 1,000 to 1,500 acres off Berry Hill Road for the park.

In other business, council said the Rhema Cultural Christian Center can continue to operate a day care center, but cannot prepare food on site until the installation of a commercial-grade stove and a hood with a fire-suppression system is completed, inspected and approved.

Council also approved a special-use permit request from Ayesha Rasheed to operate a private school at the Al-Taqwa Islamic Center on South Union Street. Up to 12 students and three teachers can use the facility.

Council members questioned parking facilities and how curriculum will be handled. Ken Gillie Jr., director of the Planning Division, said off-street parking is not a requirement at the center’s location and that the school would have to meet state requirements for its students to graduate.

In addition, council adopted ordinances that will allow the city to get rid of impounded or abandoned mopeds and bicycles through auctions or by donating them to a charitable organization.

Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.