The Ag Building is located on the grounds of the original Cornelius High School | Photo courtesy Jack Conard

Oct. 22. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed to initiate the purchase of the old Cornelius High School Agricultural Building for a new town museum on School Strreet.

Town Manager Andrew Grant explained the complex steps needed to transfer ownership of the original high school from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) for a town museum.

The town has received a $500,000 state grant for the sole purpose of establishing a Cornelius history museum.

Quotable

“The Cornelius History Museum Task Force has identified the former High School Agriculture Building, built in the 1930s, as an ideal location for a Cornelius history museum. The building is currently unused and is located upon the existing Cornelius Elementary School campus. CMS has pending plans to reconstruct the elementary school campus, and is supportive of the new campus co- existing with a future Cornelius history museum,” said Town Manager Andrew Grant.

Town Manager Grant

Jack Conard has amassed a sizable collection of historic Cornelius photographs in his home on North Main.

Other action

—Commissioners awarded a $1.17 million resurfacing contract which includes 3.9 miles of road resurfacing, reconstruction of two medians, and restriping crosswalks along Catawba Avenue and West Catawba to low bidder Blythe Construction of Charlotte.The primary areas of work include Harbor Light, the Harborside neighborhoods (near Port City Club), Old Jetton, and North Cove. All work must be completed by June 2025.

–Commissioners adopted the annual budget calendar for the 2026 fiscal year budget, which includes a two-day workshop April 3-4, and an additional Budget Public Comment session that will be held early in the budget process. The intent of the additional public comment is to allow ample opportunity for input.