Smithville
Design contract for Smithville includes extending S. Hill St.
Sept. 7. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Town Board unanimously approved a $165,000 contract with Dewberry Engineers to design several infrastructure improvements in the Smithville community. They’re part of the multimillion-dollar Smithville Revitalization Plan which includes $3 million from the town and $3 million from Mecklenburg County. The design process should take between eight to […]
Smithville Community Coalition receives Canopy Housing Foundation grant award
July 31. More than 120 area Realtors and representatives from community organizations gathered for the Canopy Housing Foundation’s annual Grants Celebration to recognize the dedication and work of 19 non-profit organizations with $55,000 in funding. The Smithville Community Coalition has been awarded $3,000 to be utilized for Homeownership Financial Education classes for potential homeowners and […]
After more than 100 years, Smithville’s time has come
RENEWAL | By Erica Batten July 19. In the year since the Town of Cornelius approved the small-area plan proposed by the Smithville Community Coalition, the nonprofit has been steadily moving forward with its revitalization and affordable housing efforts for the historically African American community in the heart of Cornelius. A tour of the area, […]
Smithville plans include county oversight; open house today
May 11. By Dave Vieser. It was almost one year ago when Cornelius commissioners unanimously approved a financial commitment to assist in the Revitalization of the Smithville neighborhood. “This is a policy document and it’s really important because it’s our guideline, our direction in which we intend to move for Smithville,” said Mayor Pro Tem […]
[Opinion] Letter to the Editor: More on Smithville
April 18. [Opinion] On behalf of the Smithville Residents in support of Thurman Ross: As indicated by our signatures and addresses [omitted for publication] below, we stand in solidarity with former Commissioner Thurman Ross. More than 30 residents of Smithville signed the Smithville Residents Coalition (SRC) petition in February however the self-appointed SCC Executive Director, […]
SCC responds to Thurman Ross opinion piece
March 29. By Willie Jones. [Opinion] As Executive Director of the Smithville Community Coalition (SCC), I was dismayed at the Opinion piece in Cornelius Today on March 6, 2023, by Thurman Ross. He has a right to his opinion. But we should distinguish his opinion from facts. A writer can say anything in an opinion […]
The ‘what’s next’ after Black History Month
March 15. By TL Bernthal. Even with Black History Month celebrations over, there are things anyone can do as a “what’s next” in race relations. In February, which is Black History Month, the diversity committee of the Lae Norman Chamber of Commerce brought together Ron Potts ,who was born and raised in the Smithville Community, […]
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 […]
Opinion: Former commissioner Thurman Ross calls for Smithville residents to have ‘better representation in Smithville revitalization plan’
March 6. By Thurman Ross. [Opinion] Residents of Smithville have organized the Smithville Residents Coalition (SRC) to have their voices heard during the proposed changes to their beloved community. Although the Smithville Community Coalition (SCC) has provided exceptional work in bringing attention to the plight of the neighborhood, the stakeholders, SRC, feel that their voices […]
Here’s how Smithville’s anniversary is counted as the 50th
Feb. 28. In calculating the 50th anniversary of Smithville during Black History Month this year, the Smithville Community Coalition includes the years of community struggle and hope that led up to the vote in 1980 that officially made the neighborhood part of the Town of Cornelius. Some people have asked the coalition how it came […]
