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The Greenville City Council met Dec. 11 and 18 to approve budgets and discuss multiple upcoming changes and ventures coming to town. 

The first order of business discussed was the restoration of Pioneer Cemetery located next to the First United Methodist Church downtown. The city has used $40,000 so far to keep the cemetery in good condition, and just approved a $5,120 budget for more restoration work. 

“I have a good friend in Eufaula that had a businessman come to town wanting to invest, and he commented that a town that does not put their money and care into the town’s history and past is not a town he would want to invest in,” McLendon said. “I think that says a lot. I know the cemetery isn’t something most people get excited about, but it’s important.”

The Mayor followed up on The Edge movie theater and what is to become of the currently closed building. 

“People are not going to the theater like they used to,” McLendon said. “We don’t want an empty building out there. We’re looking at transforming it in a way that could be profitable, like possibly making the eight screen theater into three or four screens and using the other half of the building for a game room, a sports media area, or a space for adults. We’re still working out the details.”

The Mayor commented that he is not sure when it will open again, that it could be within two to three weeks or two to three months. McLendon spoke of an investment partner from New York who currently owns a large portion of the land on the same road as the theater, and who might be interested in purchasing the theater as well. 

David Norrell commented on the importance of resident’s interest in the community. 

“If you don’t have consumers or people who want to live in Butler County, then it’s all going to go down,” Norrell said. “So every business is important to the County. There are a lot of businesses who are struggling to stay open as well.”

McLendon revisited the topic of the new restaurant coming to the property behind Taco Bell. 

“It will be a large restaurant, with plans for charging stations for electric cars, a kids play area and large television and speakers,” McLendon said. “This is something that will break ground next year around March or April. I don’t know what type of cuisine this is to be yet.”

The last order of business discussed was the approval of the budget for emergency lighting and canine equipment for the Greenville Police Department of $13,550. 

The next Greenville City Council meeting will be held Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall.