-
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) A property located at 1516 Hwy. 16 S that recently received a replat from the city of Graham and is being considered as a location for a new HTeaO store.
With over 70 locations across the state, HTeaO has turned its eyes to Graham for one of its future stores offering traditional hot teas and iced teas.
Following a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission in August, the Graham City Council approved a request Thursday, Aug. 29 from Graham Industrial Association (GIA) to replat a property located at 1516 Hwy. 16 S.
“This agenda item seeks approval for a replat in support of this joint economic development effort,” City Manager Eric Garretty said in August. “This replat divides an existing parcel of 1.35 acres into two tracts. Tract A will be 0.811 acres and Tract B will be 0.54 acres.”
The GIA promotes economic growth in Graham by bringing potential businesses to the city through the purchasing, sale and leasing of property along with other services.
The property formerly housing the American INN was acquired by the GIA in 2021 for potential development and was determined as a desirable spot for a hotel through a feasibility study.
“The Graham Industrial Association, as many of you know, is the private arm of our economic development, and they acquired this land about four years ago. We have been working diligently to attract new business to this property,” Assistant City Manager Grant Ingram said. “We do have a business that is looking at Tract B. Previously, it had been one tract so with the contract and sales request that they have presented to us (we would be) replating to allow for the selling of Track B.”
The GIA will maintain ownership of Tract A after selling Tract B. Ingram said this week HTeaO is moving forward with pursuing a location in Graham and has agreed to build a shared entry for accessing the rest of the lot.
“We got the replat completed and passed through council at the last meeting. That’s going to close in the next month I would think,” Ingram said. “They have been talking with (Public Works Director) Randall (Dawson) to make sure that they have an understanding of where all the utilities are and they are getting ready to move that dirt and scrape that lot.”
