The city is negotiating with Lafayette Gatling to modify his lease payments on the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.

While nothing is official, City Manager Paul Sabiston said following a closed session today the city is discussing reducing the monthly payment from $98,000 to $75,000 from March 1 through October.

Following that period the payments would go back to the full amount in November and the difference would be caught up during that time.

Further details were not discussed following the announcement as the arrangements are still be negotiated.

Gatling, who attended the meeting, declined comment when approached by rrspin.com. He was called into the closed session once.

Asked if the agreement being negotiated was workable, Councilman Carl Ferebee said, “We sure hope so.”

Sabiston said earlier this week was no payment and no solid word from Gatling on when the more than $196,000 owed the city may be paid.

Gatling, Sabiston said, blames the late payment on the economy and poor ticket sales. The late payment comes as the city works on its budget for the upcoming fiscal year with an April 8 work session date targeted.