An article in the News & Record had the upper management for the City of Greensboro all in a stir on Wednesday, March 6, and it had nothing to do with the resignation of former City Manager Tai Jaiyeoba.

The News & Record article incorrectly stated that the City of Greensboro had bought the Randleman Plaza shopping center for $3 million.

The article stated, “The city of Greensboro has paid $3 million to purchase the Randleman Plaza shopping center, according to a Guilford County Register of Deeds filing.

“The 19.45-acre property listed at 3226 Randleman Road contains 130,856 square feet. It is anchored by a Food Lion store.

“The sale appears to exclude two outparcels on the property facing Randleman Road.

“The buyer is the city’s real-estate division. The seller is Randleman Plaza Investors of Weston, Fla.”

Mayor Nancy Vaughan said that when she saw the article, she immediately called Interim City Manager Chris Wilson to find out how the city had purchased a shopping center for $3 million without the knowledge of City Council.

Vaughan said that Wilson told her he was investigating the basis for the article.

As it turned out, the article had a couple of key facts wrong. Greensboro had in fact purchased an easement from the Randleman Plaza shopping center, but it was for $3,000, not $3 million. Those decimal points may be small, but they are important.

In response to her request for information from the city, Vaughan received this text message, “From Engineering – News and Record completely wrong. We bought a bus shelter easement. Around 3 thousand dollars. This is an old project already built. Ownership issues with center caused the final deed stuff to lag a good while. Small purchase amount so does not go to council for approval. Will get something to Chris so he can get it out to all.”