Councilman Wayne Smith made the motion to go with Nusbaum, which has more than 100 years experience in commercial property, shopping centers and apartments.

Councilwoman Carol Cowen voted against the measure, saying afterward, but declining to elaborate, “I'm not comfortable with the situation.”

The contract will not be public record until it is signed, both City Manager Joseph Scherer and City Attorney Gilbert Chichester said.

Going with Nusbaum, Mayor Emery Doughtie said, was the result of a search by Chichester to find a firm qualified to list and market the venue.

Chichester said the company already has a significant presence in the area, managing several properties within what is informally called the Lowe's Shopping Center off Julian R. Allsbrook Highway and what Nusbaum refers to as the Roanoke Rapids Plaza Shopping Center.

According to its website, the company is also marketing the Flambeau building on Grace Drive in Weldon.

Chichester would not immediately discuss terms of the contract until it is signed. “If it doesn't sell, it doesn't cost us anything.”

There will be a flat rate fee applied based on the final sale price if the company is successful in selling the theater, Chichester said.

Both Chichester and Scherer declined to discuss their target sale price. “It's a tough sell piece of property,” Chichester said. “We want to get as much as we can for it.”

Scherer said Nusbaum plans to pitch the theater at trade shows.

Chichester said the theater will be a multiple listing which will allow other real estate firms to have an opportunity to show and possibly sell the venue, splitting commission with Nusbaum.