City signs lease with Yates at former U.S. Motors

The city of Philadelphia has entered into a lease-purchase agreement with Thompson North, a division of W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Company, for the former U.S. Motors facility at 1224 Pecan Ave.

La-Z-Boy Logistics was previously leasing the building as office space and for parking trucks.

Under the agreement, Thompson North will pay $10,000 per month and has the option to purchase the $1.25 million building during the four-year lease term.

All future improvements to the building will be made by Thompson North, not the city. They will also be responsible for maintaining the grounds.

“We intend to use the facility to store goods and materials to meet the timely demands of some of our large construction projects,” a Yates spokesperson said.

East Central’s Diesel Technical and Lineman School will not be affected, as the north side of the fence serves as the dividing line for operations. 

In other business, aldermen voted to:

• Approve a motion to allow speed bumps to be placed at Carver Avenue in front of Booker T. near the school drop-off area. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Jonathan Ladd from the Street Department effective July 16. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Maurice Brown from the Street Department effective July 25. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Hearing was opened upon the rezoning of 219 Wilson Street from R-1 to R-3. No one appeared for public comment. Aldermen approved a motion to deny the rezoning of 219 Wilson Street from R-1 to R-3. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to hire James Johnson part-time with the Cemetery Department at $10 per hour, effective July 18, pending drug screen. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Darrius Goss from the Police Department effective July 10. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to close Main Street from Range Avenue to Church Avenue, Byrd Avenue from Walnut Street to Beacon Street beginning Thursday, Dec. 5 at midnight, reopening Friday, Dec. 6 at midnight. Center Avenue. from Walnut Street to Beacon Street beginning Thursday, Dec. 5 at midnight, reopening Friday, Dec. 6 at midnight for the Hometown Christmas event to be held Dec. 6. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to transfer a 2022 Haul-rite boat trailer, purchased with MOHS grant, to the Gautier Fire Department as an intergovernmental transfer. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to allow a motorcade for PHS Seniors on July 19 at 6 p.m. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to set a budget workshop for July 23. The motion was approved unanimously.