After lengthy discussion this evening, the Roanoke Rapids Planning Board recommended city council approve amendments that would allow Internet cafes in the entertainment district, specifically the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.

Planners recommended three changes to the proposed amendment after listening to Roanoke Rapids attorney Bill White, who is representing a client interested in buying the theater.

Those changes include allowing gaming operations to take up 15 percent of the theater instead of 10 percent; allowing the gaming operations to be played in open areas of the theater instead of enclosed spaces and assuring that gaming not be allowed inside the theater area itself.

In arguing for the changes, White explained the need for the theater to succeed. Original documents said the entertainment district could be successful if there were two hotels, six restaurants and a large retail area. That did not occur. “It’s not working. The city wants to divest itself of the theater.”

White said a client who wanted to buy the venue and would create 25 fulltime jobs, including one to two security positions, approached him.

He agreed that during the lease portion, the city could keep the percentage at 10 percent but once the city sells the theater it should be increased to 15 percent. “The clients feel like if it works well they may want to enlarge the theater.”

As far as the gaming only being allowed in enclosed areas, White said, “We have some problems with it being closed. It’s not something X-rated or illegal. They need to be operating where they can be seen.”

White said the way the amendments were originally written, “Makes a statement you’re trying to micromanage. They’re going to buy and expand and everyone’s going to be better off.”

Planners, however, did not offer to change the amendment concerning alcohol sales or hours operation.

While White sees the changes made as something that will lead to the economic betterment of the city, Gardner Payne, an attorney and owner of one of the first Internet cafes in Roanoke Rapids, sees the rules giving the city an unfair advantage and competition. “It has to be one set of rules for everybody,” he said during the public hearing. “I believe in free enterprise, paying income on taxes. I think it needs to be a level playing field. Now we’re going to be competition.”

Following the planning board’s recommendation to send the matter to council for approval, Payne said, “We got steamrolled. This will probably head to litigation. There should be one set of rules.”

Payne, who has run an Internet café on Premier Boulevard for three years and is a lobbyist for the industry, said he has been a good corporate citizen in Roanoke Rapids, sponsoring baseball teams and donating to civic organizations.

He said he would follow the matter through city council deliberations. “I would like for them to keep this on a level playing field.”