The many faces of Smithville

July 7. By Dave Yochum. A $500,000 allocation from the State of North Carolina, as well as $3 million from the Town of Cornelius expected to be officially approved July 19 by the Town Board, means the Smithville Revitalization Plan is closer to reality.

The funding comes on top of $3 million already approved by the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.

The Smithville revitalization plan calls for workforce housing, rehabilitation of existing properties and subdividing some properties.

Jones

The $3 million from the town will be focused on infrastructure improvements in the neighborhood which has been neglected by the town over the course of the past half century.

Indeed, 70-plus years ago, the men in the close-knit community dug in their own utilities because the town at the time would not annex the neighborhood.

The overall revitalization plan is valued at more than $12 million, but, according to revitalization leader Willie Jones, some parts and pieces may be peeled off to help get it rolling and control gentrification.

A key meeting occurs tomorrow with US Rep. Alma Adams staff, in hopes of landing more federal dollars.

What’s needed

The $3 million from the town and $3 million from the county are both part of the ARPA funds distributed in the past year.

“So now our nut is just short of $6 million,” Jones said.

“With proper phasing being planned and cost studies soon completed I am very encouraged that this project will move forward very soon,” said Mayor Woody Washam.

Mayor Washam

“Time is of the essence for sure.”