Sausage making

After the Greensboro City Council's 5-4 vote to approve the aquatic center took place last night, at-large Councilman Robbie Perkins stationed himself outside the door to accept the thanks of members of the swim community. District 1 Councilwoman Dianne Bellamy-Small, who was critical of the council's decision to transfer the aquatic center from the auspices of the parks and recreation department to the Greensboro Coliseum, pulled him aside.

"Now you've got to do something for me," she said.

I asked Perkins this morning what their conversation was all about.

"We are exploring an idea that she has for another program," he wrote from his BlackBerry. "Hard to say whether it is feasible at this point."

What kind of program?

"Youth center."

UPDATE: Bellamy-Small elaborates in a phone interview today.

She says she would like the city to consider purchasing the YWCA building so that the city would own all the properties on the block bounded by Davie Street, Church Street and Friendly Avenue. The city could consolidate all of its youth programs under one roof.

Those include Greensboro Youth Council, the human relations department's youth leadership program and the Folk Teen Center.

"The Folk Teen Center is not a destination," Bellamy Small said. Moving the teen center downtown could spur economic investment by creating an opportunity for a fast-food restaurant to open on Church Street, she added.

Whether the community will enjoy access to the newly approved Aquatic Center has been a point of contention. Bellamy-Small said the YWCA has a pool that "is still in excellent working order."

"That would enhance our inventory of indoor swimming facilities that we control," she said.

Of the current council members, Bellamy-Small said the only one she has discussed the idea with is Perkins.

"I need to find out if this present council would like to see if it would be put into some budget considerations this next year," she said. "The first thing is to see if we can acquire the property."

The councilwoman added that she has heard the property is worth anywhere from $1.5 million to $3 million.