The City of Concord, NC plans to respond today to a lawsuit designed to clear up whether Cabarrus County can continue to tear down the old headquarters of a local newspaper to build a jail.

Concord city attorney Al Benshoff explained the legal complaint about demolishing the Tribune Building at a special city council meeting Thursday, hours after the county filed a legal complaint.

The lawsuit should establish whether a stop-work order issued by the Concord Historic District Commission to prevent further demolition work on the Tribune Building has any legal weight, officials have said.

"The city has an obligation to defend itself in this litigation," Concord city attorney Al Benshoff told council members at a special meeting Thursday.
County commissioners voted last year to save the old newspaper building.
Commissioners reversed course three weeks ago, saying saving the Tribune

Building would interfere with a new county jail and cost too much.

County Manager John Day soon told crews to start knocking down the building.

A private group, Residents of Historic Concord Inc., tried to get a judge to order the county to halt the demolition, but failed. Then the chairman of the historic district commission signed the order banning any further work. County officials argue the commission doesn't have the authority to stop the demolition.

County and city lawyers have said they believe they can get a quick decision from the Cabarrus County Superior Court.