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GREENSBORO - The Greensboro Town Council voted during the June 5 Town meeting to give the Greensboro Historical Society 120 days to move out of their current museum space in town-owned property at 104 E Sunset Avenue. The Council did not discuss or vote on which town operations will be moved to the property.
After swearing in new town manager, Cynthia Yost, and passing the ordiance to adopt the FY26 budget, the Council held a public hearing on terminating the agreement with the Greensboro Historical Society for its use of town-owned building at 104 E Sunset Avenue. The issue of removing the Historical Society was first brought up at a public meeting in February, when discussions were taking place on possible solutions for alleviating space concerns for town operations.
At the May 15 town meeting, Councilwoman Christina Robinson stressed that “no decision” had been made as to whether or not the Council was officially asking the Historical Society to vacate the museum building. She stated that a working group including herself and then-President of the Greensboro Historical Society Charles Dean III, who has since departed the organization, had been exploring possible relocation options. The Council decided to hold a public hearing and vote on the matter at its June 5 meeting to allow for proper notice.
During the public hearing on June 5, Bob Moser, Vice President and Acting President of the Greensboro Historical Society, said, “We do understand the need for the building…we’re already working through plans on moving out and stuff because we know basically the space is needed and the community does come first.”
Moser thanked the Town Council for their benevolence in allowing the Historical Society to utilize the 104 E Sunset space rent-free for the last six years. “The only thing I would ask is to give us no less than 90 days to get our stuff out. I would also like to request that we have some assistance from you in regards to moving as well,” Moser specified the Town could see about providing resources such as the use of Public Works trucks, help with recruiting volunteers, financial assistance if available, or other possibilities. Mayor David Spencer replied that the Town wants to help but would “need to talk to our lawyer to see if we need to have a liability of release signed,” in case any items are damaged in the move.
Bill Schaffner echoed Moser’s sentiments of gratitude towards the Council and pleas for adequate time to move. “We are disappointed to be honest that we have to move, that’s a big undertaking,” Shaffner said, “I’m assuming the decision has already been made, but I want to hear it from the horse’s mouth” indicating that a formal vote to displace the Historical Society had not yet been taken.
Shaffner also asked that the Council consider giving the Historical Society 120 days to vacate the premises at 104 E Sunset, instead of 90 days as suggested by Moser.
Resident Amanda Weaver questioned how the FY26 budget, which the Council had earlier passed, did not include costs for moving the Police Department into the 104 E Sunset building. Weaver said, “I’m so excited that you guys are having a public comment for this decision that you’ve already made,” implying that the Council had already decided, despite no motion to the question, on the disposition of 104 E. Sunset. She also stated that there has been no motion on whether the Police Department or a different entity would be utilizing the space once the Historical Society moves out.
After the public hearing portion concluded, Mayor Spencer asked the Council if “anyone would like to make a motion.” Councilman Pete Brelia asked, “what are we making a motion on?” to which Mayor Spencer replied, “relocation of the Historical Society.”
Weaver called from the crowd during a pause, “you guys already made that decision, you announced that last meeting.” While Councilmembers had made comments at the previous meeting addressing a need for the town to place operations into the space at 104 E Sunset Avenue, the Council did not vote to reclaim the building.
Councilman Brelia made a motion to give the Historical Society 90 to 120 days to remove their belongings from the museum building. The Council voted to affirm the motion, with Councilwoman Robinson abstaining due to her position as Treasurer for the Greensboro Historical Society. However, a vote determining which operations should locate to 104 E Sunset Avenue was not held.
Bill Schaffner spoke again during the public comment period, asking that the Council amend the motion to give the Historical Society a flat 120 days to move. “It's my request that you consider amending that… then we’ll know what we’ve got to get done,” he said. Councilman Noone reintroduced the motion, amending the “90 to 120 days” portion to be specifically “120 days.” The motion was again passed, giving the Historical Society until Friday, Oct. 3 to be out of the 104 E Sunset property.
Representatives from the Historical Society said they don’t want to share yet where they are possibly looking to move, but Moser said they have “narrowed it down from five relocation areas down to two.”
