The City of Lancaster City Council convened its work session Tuesday, April 14, 2026, with Mayor T. Alston DeVenny presiding and all council members present. The session touched on a range of substantive matters, from honoring two police officers for exceptional service to a detailed architectural presentation on the future of the city’s historic old post office building, along with approvals on fair housing, tree planting, a housing authority appointment, and the city’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget goals — the last of which was tabled for minor revisions.
Officers Recognized for Exemplary Service
Police Chief Don Roper opened the evening by recognizing two Lancaster Police Department officers for actions that went beyond ordinary duty.
Sergeant Chris Mabry was recognized for his sustained and compassionate engagement with a local homeless resident that other officers had encountered numerous times over several months. Rather than abandoning efforts after previous attempts to help the individual had failed to take hold, Mabry continued building a relationship with him. On March 17, Mabry encountered the man near a local store, used his personal contacts in Charlotte, and successfully secured him a job at Carowinds. Through the same ongoing effort, the man also found stable housing. “We’re very proud of that service attitude,” Chief Roper said.
Officer Tyler Threatt was recognized for his response to the March 23 shots-fired incident on Rock Street — the same shooting that had drawn council discussion at the previous regular meeting. When officers arrived on scene, Threatt located an innocent bystander who had been struck by gunfire and was seriously injured. He immediately applied a tourniquet to stop heavy blood loss, an action Chief Roper said played a major role in allowing the victim to survive. The victim is now recovering.
Mayor DeVenny praised both officers, noting they represent the kind of clear-minded purpose that defines the department’s community role. “It’s the clarity of mind and the clarity of purpose that helped create the kind of community we want to be in,” he said.
Historic Post Office Eyed for Event Venue and Farmers Market Hub
The most substantial and forward-looking discussion of the evening centered on the city’s old post office building at 301 South Main Street, as architects Carrie Perkins and Janet Zuckerman of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture presented the results of a test fit study exploring potential uses for the 1927 building and its surrounding property.
The building, which will turn 100 years old next year, sits at the heart of downtown Lancaster, adjacent to South Street, the city’s designated festival street, and near the future Carolina Thread Trail connection. The architects noted the building qualifies for significant federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits — a feature that makes it particularly attractive for private development partnership.
The firm explored four site layout options ranging in total estimated cost from approximately $7.2 million to $16.3 million depending on the combination of uses and whether a parking garage is included. All options preserve the farmers market in some form and pair it with the post office building.
The two primary building use concepts were an event venue model and a commercial and residential model. The event venue option drew the most enthusiasm from council and architects alike. Under that concept, the first floor of the post office would accommodate up to 340 seated guests or 730 standing in a ballroom-style event space, with an outdoor stage converted from the existing loading dock and an outdoor gathering space connecting to the future trail. The second floor would provide an additional event space for up to 170 guests, with a rooftop terrace overlooking downtown. A catering kitchen on the first floor would serve both the event venue and the farmers market. A bridal suite or green room and three small offices for city functions would round out the space. The basement would serve as storage for event and farmers market equipment.
The alternative commercial and residential model would place approximately 6,800 square feet of retail or office space on the first floor — potentially a small restaurant, coffee shop, bookstore, or fitness center — with three one-bedroom apartments or smaller office and studio rental spaces on the second floor.
Two site layout options explored relocating the farmers market to the rear of the post office along East Arch Street to free up South Main Street frontage, while the other two kept the market along its current South Main Street footprint and adjusted the surrounding surface parking accordingly. All four options incorporated a three-story parking garage estimated at approximately $30,000 per space, which drew both interest and reservations from council.
The parking garage question generated thoughtful discussion. Several council members acknowledged the concept but questioned whether the demand in Lancaster would justify the investment at this stage. The architects suggested a phased approach — develop the post office and farmers market first, build activity and demonstrated demand, and then add a parking structure in a second phase as the need becomes evident.
Council members were particularly drawn to the event venue concept. Mayor DeVenny reflected on the city’s earlier years hosting major performances by acts like the Oak Ridge Boys, saying those events brought something special to Lancaster and that a quality venue could restore that kind of community excitement. He and other members noted that the rooftop terrace would appeal especially to younger residents and that the catering kitchen could be rented to food trucks and caterers to generate revenue and create a more self-sufficient operation.
City Administrator Flip Hutfles and the architects agreed that the most promising path forward is a public request for proposals targeting private developers who could bring both financing and operational expertise — particularly for an event venue that would require dedicated staffing and management. The architects noted they recently responded to a similar RFP in Greenville and that cities regularly attract strong developer interest in public-private partnerships of this kind. Mayor DeVenny confirmed that the city had already received an unsolicited inquiry from a developer interested in the property.
Council consensus was to move forward with developing an RFP, with staff and the architectural team collaborating on the document. The city will also need to conduct a site survey and evaluate tax credit eligibility as part of due diligence. Council members noted the post office building’s historic character, its downtown visibility, and its potential as a catalyst for continued revitalization along the South Main Street corridor as reasons to move with purpose.
Citizens Comments
Jane Alford of the Lancaster County Council of the Arts returned to address both city and county bodies this week, announcing the opening of Touch and See, the Arts Council’s first ever multisensory exhibit at the Springs House gallery, open free to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. She also promoted the third annual Lancaster County Literary Arts Festival, scheduled for April 25th and 26th, featuring author talks, writing workshops, a children’s story walk along the Greenway, and a poetry open mic at the Daily Grind. All events are free. Mayor DeVenny asked staff to post the events on the city’s display board so residents can stay informed.
The mayor also noted for the record a letter received from local resident Yokima Curitan formally introducing AI on Purpose, a new workforce development initiative focused on equipping low-income working adults, small business owners, nonprofit staff, and workforce-ready residents with practical artificial intelligence tools to support participation in the modern economy.
Minutes Approved with Notable Correction
Council approved the minutes from the March 17 goal session and the March 24 regular meeting, with one correction requested by Council Member Harris. The goal session minutes had recorded one of her goals as “actively pursue and promote economic development initiatives including the attraction and support of data centers.” Harris clarified that her intent was to ensure regulations and guidelines are in place before data centers come to municipalities like Lancaster — citing the Silfab situation as context — not to broadly support data center attraction without guardrails. The corrected language reads that the city should actively pursue economic development initiatives “including the attraction and support of projects with appropriate regulations.” Council agreed on the language and directed the clerk to update the record accordingly.
Fair Housing Month Proclaimed
Council unanimously voted to proclaim April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Lancaster, as required annually of localities with active Community Development Block Grants. City Clerk Kelli Stevens noted the proclamation has been posted in city hall and on the city’s website and social media in compliance with federal and state requirements.
Mayor DeVenny took the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, noting that it took nearly 60 years to meaningfully change the housing discrimination patterns — including redlining practices that blocked lending in certain neighborhoods — that had defined much of American housing history. He said the result is that today’s neighborhoods are more demographically diverse than at any prior point, with housing choices increasingly driven by affordability and lending access rather than race. “It’s changed our demographics in our city like it has all over the country,” he said, calling the progress real even if the pace has been frustratingly slow. He also noted that Lancaster carries a disproportionate share of the region’s income-assisted and voucher housing and that continued support for mixed and workforce housing benefits the entire county.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Wins Approval to Plant Trees on City Property
Council unanimously approved a request from the Iota Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to plant two trees on city-owned property as part of the organization’s fourth consecutive year of environmental stewardship under their national “Enhancing Our Environment” initiative. The chapter has previously planted trees at South Middle School, along the Greenway, and most recently at the library.
The proposed planting sites are the corner of Arch Street and Main Street near the Statue Park area and Red Rose Park across from the Native American Center. Council members confirmed the trees will not be Bradford pears — a species that council noted has known issues — and staff agreed to coordinate with the sorority on species selection to ensure the trees are appropriate for the locations and will not create utility conflicts. Public works will also assist with ongoing maintenance. The chapter plans to plant the trees around Arbor Day, approximately April 25th.
Mayor DeVenny reflected that many of Lancaster’s large native trees were cleared during prior generations of development and were replaced largely by species without commercial value. He said the city bears some responsibility for reintroducing native trees along the Greenway and in public parks.
Housing Authority Board Appointment Approved
Council unanimously appointed Dr. Kirsten Willis to the Lancaster Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, filling the seat vacated by Beverly Thigpen whose term expires in April. Dr. Willis is both a Lancaster resident and a former Housing Authority employee who served for nearly four years in roles including Director of Lancaster Housing Services and Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, where she worked directly with residents in both the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs.
Housing Authority Executive Director Veronica Williams submitted a letter of recommendation calling Dr. Willis deeply committed to affordable and sustainable housing and praising her ability to lead with purpose. Council appointments to the Housing Authority board are statutory, occur once per year, and carry five-year terms. Dr. Willis thanked council for the opportunity and expressed her desire to continue supporting the authority’s growth in a governance capacity.
FY 2026-2027 Budget Goals Tabled for Revision
Council voted unanimously to table Resolution R26-09, which would formally adopt the city’s budget goals for fiscal year 2026-2027, after Council Member Sowell raised concerns that one of the goals as written did not accurately reflect what council had actually discussed.
City Administrator Hutfles presented the resolution, explaining that staff had taken priorities established at the March 17 goal session and developed corresponding objectives, cost estimates, responsible actors, and action steps for each. The goals are organized using the city’s “Must Do / Should Do / Could Do” framework, with Must Do goals receiving a minimum of 60 percent of implementation resources.
The Must Do goals include developing a fiscally responsible long-term capital improvement program, constructing a new fire station in the northern section of the city at an estimated cost of approximately $5 million, enhancing communication and collaboration between staff and administration, planning and securing funding for Market Square development at an estimated $225,000, and planning and funding a Touch-a-Truck community event at an estimated $30,000. Should Do goals include establishing an equitable cost-sharing agreement with the county for the transfer station, developing a Welcome Wagon program for new residents and businesses, placing city-owned properties on the market to support workforce housing, and developing a program to assist low-income residents with home purchase closing costs. Could Do goals include employee longevity and certification incentive programs, youth engagement initiatives, and a comprehensive evaluation of the Springs House.
The objection came from Council Member Sowell, who said his original idea for a welcome wagon was a simple, personal outreach effort — a council member or city representative stopping by a new business to offer a handshake and a welcome basket. He was surprised to find it had expanded in the written goals document to include hiring an additional utility billing clerk tied to the program. Council Member Harris agreed the concept had grown beyond what was discussed, though she noted Finance Director James Absher had separately raised the need for an additional utility billing position for workload reasons.
Hutfles acknowledged the disconnect and said he can refine the goal language to separate the welcome concept from the staffing question, noting that the budget process starting the following morning would still move forward unaffected. Council agreed to table the resolution and bring back a revised version at the next meeting. Mayor DeVenny also noted for future goal sessions that the time allocated for goal setting has shrunk significantly over the years — from two days to a couple of hours — which may be contributing to imprecision in how goals are captured and written.
Executive Session on Environmental Claims
Council moved into executive session to receive legal advice related to environmental claims. Upon returning, members confirmed no action was taken during the closed session. Council then adjourned.
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