redevelopment
A Downtown Master Plan one step closer
By Dave Vieser. An important meeting between consulting firms and town officials regarding the creation of a downtown Cornelius Master Plan will take place next week. Seven different consultants, all from the metro Charlotte area, responded to a request for proposals (RFP) on the development of a master plan to guide development on a 137 […]
Comprehensive housing plan approved by Town Board
Sept. 8. By Dave Vieser. “There’s lots of reason to be optimistic tonight!” With those words, Roger Waldron of Clarion Associates expressed his appreciation to the Cornelius Town Board as they unanimously approved a comprehensive housing plan at their Sept. 5 meeting. Waldron had worked for months on the details of the plan. Much of […]
Letter to the Editor: Smithville residents have been heard
Response to “Opinion: Former Commissioner Thurman Ross calls for Smithville residents to have better representation in Smithville revitalization plan.” March 14. By Scott Higgins. [Opinion] The revitalization plan for Smithville has come a long way. I have witnessed meaningful dialogue and progress in revitalizing Smithville over the last two years. To be overly critical seems […]
Smithville leaders to meet with US Rep. Adams office in search of more funds
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 […]
Roof of historic building falls in
June 1. By Dave Yochum. The roof of a century-old brick building at 21320 Catawba Ave. in Cornelius has fallen in. Separated by an empty lot from the new Cain Center for the Arts, the historic Smith Building has been unoccupied for years. No one was injured. The sidewalk in front and just to the […]
Major step forward for Smithville redevelopment
March 17. By Dave Vieser. The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $3 million grant from the American Rescue Plan for Smithville revitalization. “There will be another round of county funding in the fall, and we look forward to meeting the requirements of that RFP too,” said Willie Jones, a leader of the […]
Smithville revitalization plan gets nod from Planning Board
March 15. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Planning Board has unanimously endorsed the Smithville Revitalization Plan. The approval at Monday’s meeting followed a detailed overview of the plan provided by Willie Jones of the Smithville Community Coalition which calls for workforce housing, rehabilitation of existing properties and subdividing some properties in the historically Black community […]
