ZEBULON — During Tuesday morning’s Pike County Board of Commissioners meeting, an executive session was added to the agenda during which board members discussed a real estate transaction. Upon the conclusion of the 30-minute closed-door session, commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of two lots on Adams Street designated for a future judicial complex.

“In today’s executive session meeting, we consummated the land deal with Mr. Dunn and Walker Chandler. I signed both documents this morning at the meeting,” said Pike County Manager Steve Marro. “Both buildings are on the west side of Adams Street between the cemetery and the bus barn. It is intended to become a judicial complex facility. One reason we chose that location was to maintain judicial activity in the Zebulon area.”

Described as “a little less than five acres,” the total purchase price of the two parcels is $180,000, with each seller receiving $90,000.

Marro said the agreed-upon purchase price was based on appraisals performed by Pike County officials.

“On Sept. 29, we authorized moving $20,000 out of the contingency account for this purpose,” Marro said, with both Dunn and Chandler receiving a $10,000 payment. “Back when we were working on the Hollonville Fire Station, we requested the Board of Commissioners to cash in a $250,000 CD (certificate of deposit) to finish the fire station. Now, the remainder of those funds are being taken out of the contingency fund to be used for this capital improvements project land acquisition account.”

Marro went on to say that he anticipates both purchases being completed in the coming weeks.

“I expect them both to be closed this month (November). We’re closing on one of them next week and we’re talking about closing on the second one Thanksgiving week,” he said. “Mr. Dunn has at least six months to move — there’s a sidebar agreement that after the closing date, he will continue to lease the property from the county for $1 per month and will continue to lease the building until such time the county needs that land. During that time, he will continue to pay all the utilities.”