Purchase of Taco Bell Property Confirmed by City

One of the most talked about issues in Mauldin in recent months was the purchase of land at 116 N. Main St., also known as the old Taco Bell property.

In the last meeting before former Mayor Don Godbey and former council members Michael Reynolds and James Kennedy left office, the property was purchased by the city for the amount of $229,042. According to Greenville County records, the property had a Taxable Market Value of $291,719.

The property was purchased on Dec. 8 after a unanimous vote in open session on Aug. 22.*

On Tuesday, council member Dale Black acknowledged that the transaction was not handled with the transparency he would have preferred, but insisted that no laws were broken.

Some in the community suggested — off the record — that the purchase, made in executive session and as the last piece of official business under the previous mayor and council, was an act of partisanship. However, the purchase was approved unanimously, which would seem to dispel any notions of political gamesmanship.

Though the city would seem to have saved money on the transaction, one citizen in attendance was not satisfied. The citizen wondered why the city would make such a purchase during tough financial times.

City Administrator Trey Eubanks said the property is strategically located near the City Center area and is integral to its further growth.

"If you look at the City Center Master Plan that area has always been considered important," Eubanks said.

Eubanks said it was too early to say whether the city would develop the property or to sell it to another entity.

* - CORRECTION: This article originally stated that the purchase was made in executive session on Dec. 8. That was not the case. We regret the error.

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