N.C. Cultural Resources Secretary Libba Evans and her husband gained nearly $300,000 in a unique Manteo real-estate transaction, according to a Carolina Journal analysis of public records.

Evans and her husband, James T. Lambie, purchased the property in 2006 after a commission under Evans’ department eliminated stringent tree-cutting regulations on the land where the lot is situated. A CJ story in December 2007 described the sequence of events that led to her potential conflict of interest in that matter. Evans said last year that she was unaware that the Roanoke Island Commission had taken action on property she was negotiating to buy.

The action benefited the developer because it removed restrictions on six single-family home lots. Last year the project manager said he was unaware of the restrictions.

The two-story Hulcom house is believed to be the oldest house in Manteo. It was in poor condition, but town officials insisted that it be preserved before they would allow the Marshes Light development to proceed. Marshes Light is a 14-acre residential and commercial waterfront project being developed by Kitty Hawk Land Company. It is a mix of individual home-sites, townhouses, condominiums, and retail and office spaces.

John Wilson, Manteo’s mayor at the time, said he put Evans in touch with Marshes Light representatives. Evans and Marshes Light subsequently struck a deal. The developer moved the home to a new lot and set it up on a new foundation. Evans paid $300,000 for the lot and home Sept. 19, 2006. The same day the developer sold the adjoining vacant lot to another couple for $350,000. A new home now occupies that lot.

Calculating the value

The actual value of the relocated historic home before renovation and the new foundation could not be determined through public records. The estimated cost of the contract for the subsequent renovation and expansion, as stated on the building permit application filed by Gibbs Building, Inc., was $150,000. So public records show that Evans and Lambie spent a total of $450,000 for the finished 2,800-square foot home and lot.

After the home was completed this year, the Dare County tax office valued the total property at $623,500. The current value is actually based on the year 2005 schedule of values, so new property added to the tax roles is effectively discounted to a value as if it had been added in 2005. The next countywide revaluation will be effective in 2010.

An analysis of several other purchases in the same development shows that the purchase price averaged 17.1 percent higher than the tax value. Adding an additional 17.1 percent to the tax value of the Evans home would put its value at $730,000, or $280,000 more than public records show the couple has spent on the home.

Deeds of trust signed by Evans and her husband show they borrowed, or can borrow, up to $600,000 on the property.

Evans on leave without pay

Evans has been the head of the Cultural Resources Department since 2001, when Gov. Mike Easley appointed her to the position. In addition to her state government duties, she remains involved in multiple real estate businesses.

Evans could not be reached for comment. She has been on leave without pay since May, and Easley’s office will not elaborate on the reason.

“Sec. Evans is taking leave without pay to handle a personal matter. She is not receiving a salary and is paying the cost of her benefits from her own pocket. Our understanding is that she does plan to return when her personal business is complete,” Easley’s press secretary, Renee Hoffman, said.

A message left on Lambie’s office phone was not returned. Calvin Gibbs, the Dare County building contractor who renovated Evans’ home, would not answer questions about the project. “I ain’t telling you nothing,” Gibbs said when reached by phone.

Don Carriongton is executive editor of Carolina Journal.