New Hanover County enters parking agreement with local gentlemen's club

New Hanover County has reached a parking license agreement with Cheetah Premier Gentlemen's Club of Wilmington to allow the county to use parking spaces during county business hours.

The extra parking will help alleviate parking issues at the county's government center, which opened in April 2023. The club is located next to the government center.

Originally, in late 2023, the county wanted to use eminent domain to take over the gentlemen's club site to allow for extra parking, according to a Nov. 15 StarNews article. At the time, the county commissioners approved spending $2.36 million to purchase the property.

More: New Hanover County wants to use eminent domain to take over a gentlemen's club site

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The county never followed through with the actions and instead, as of March 22, the county entered into an agreement with owners of New Hanover Golf & Travel, LLC, to let the county use parking spaces Monday-Friday during county business hours.

New Hanover County Government Center's business hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Cheetah is open from 6 p.m.-3 a.m. Monday-Thursday as well as Sunday and 6 p.m.-4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, so business hours would not overlap.

New Hanover Golf & Travel, LLC purchased the club in 2011 for $1.45 million.

The agreement allows for county employees, invitees, agents, contractors, tenants and licensees of the county to use the lot, but the county cannot use the area for vehicle storage or overnight parking per the agreement.

The agreement will expire on Dec. 18, 2024, and the agreement will be automatically extended for up to four successive renewal terms in each instance for up to five years.

New Hanover Golf & Travel, LLC would need to give the county notice at least 120 days prior to the expiration of the then-current term or renewal term. If the notice is not given, the term will automatically continue.

The county may terminate the agreement at any time for any reason, upon notice to the company, according to the agreement. The termination would be effective upon receipt of notice by New Hanover Golf & Travel, LLC.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: New Hanover County to use parking lot of Cheetah gentlemen's club