Hit by heavy storms and financial difficulties, times are tough for two landmarks in Washington in Beaufort County. The Warren Field Airport was severely damaged in the July 1st storms, and the Turnage Theater which closed down last December is up for auction next month. Monday, the city council met to discuss the futures of both. Plans are in the works to receive grant money to rebuild the airport terminal, and the city is also beginning to discuss the possibility of buying the Turnage Theater.

"We're at the point where we either need to get in the airport business, or get out of the airport business," said Washington Mayor Archie Jennings

"There's usually some kind of patron, some kind of entity behind it that helps support it. So, if the city were to buy the Turnage, that's just the first step," said Joey Toler with the Beaufort County Arts Council.

Mayor Jennings told WITN he is confident both the Turnage and the airport will re-emerge stronger than they were before. The city council will wait to hear back from the aviation department on the airport grant money, and will discuss any planned action on the Turnage Theater at a future meeting.

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The Washington City Council is scheduled to discuss purchasing the closed Turnage Theater on Monday evening.

The Turnage closed at the end of last year after running out of money. It is scheduled to be auctioned off in early November.

The agenda says the discussion of the theater will take place during closed session.

The public portion of the meeting starts at 5:30 p.m.