City officials met with Lafayette Gatling Monday at the Roanoke Rapids Theatre but came away with no money for his February and March payments.

Mayor Emery Doughtie said the meeting was a continuation of negotiations with the Chicago businessman on his management of the struggling venue. Meeting with Gatling besides the mayor were City Manager Paul Sabiston, Finance Director MeLinda Hite and Councilman Carl Ferebee.

The mayor said Gatling told the officials he was working on a different avenue to take the theater but did not elaborate on specifics because a plan for the venue’s future has not been given to city officials. There was no word given on when the city will be paid the more than $196,000 Gatling owes.

The mayor did say he felt better after the meeting. “If we can help Mr. Gatling in a reasonable time frame and help be successful in the long run I think it will be beneficial to the citizens not to have the theater come back (to the city).”

Gatling was given a flexible option to settle his debt with the city and the city would allow him to pay his February debt on the Roanoke Rapids Theatre. It would allow him additional time to make his March payment.

Further terms of the proposal have not been divulged citing ongoing negotiations.

The total Gatling owes is $196,406.98. Half is for February and the remainder is for this month.

Gatling has declined to discuss the matter.