Smithville
Smithville was. Smithville is. Smithville will be.
Feb. 24. Editor’s note: The Smithville Community Coalition is gearing up both as a nonprofit and as an advocate for the historically African American community on the east side of Cornelius, primarily on the south side of Catawba Avenue. This article was written by a coalition staff member to help the public understand their work. […]
Black History Month event at Cain Center will highlight Smithville
Feb. 22. Cornelius’ Black History Month program at the Cain Center for the Arts this Saturday will feature art by Charlotte artist John Robert “Trey” Miles III, poetry and a presentation to honor the annexation of Smithville into the town of Cornelius 50 years ago. The program runs from noon to 2 pm. Smithville history […]
Public input sought on Smithville infrastructure improvements
Feb. 1. The Town of Cornelius is proposing several infrastructure improvements to be made in the Smithville community, and wants residents’ input. These improvements include the extension of South Hill Street to connect to Nannie Potts Lane, widening the existing South Hill Street to include the addition of sidewalks, streetlights, curb and gutter, and adding […]
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 […]
Town Board unanimously OKs Smithville plan
June 21. By Dave Vieser. In a unanimous vote, Cornelius commissioners endorsed the Smithville Revitalization Plan at their June 20 meeting. The 5-0 vote directs that the plan be utilized in conjunction with the town’s land use plan as well as other decisions related to Smithville, a historically Black community just east of I-77. Details […]
Town Board may vote on Smithville allocation tonight
June 20. By Dave Vieser. At Monday evening’s Town Board Meeting, commissioners may render a final decision concerning funding for the Smithville Revitalization Plan. Organizers have asked for $6.6 million out of the $9.6 million the town will receive from the American Rescue Plan Act. ARPA funds are a one-time windfall for governments across the […]
NC Rep. Bradford requests $3 million for Smithville revitalization plan
June 3. NC Rep. John Bradford has submitted a formal NC House budget funding request for local projects, including $3 million for the Smithville redevelopment plan. The other requests include $150,000 for studying ocular melanoma, as well as $3 million for the Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics Center. For the Town of Davidson, Bradford has […]
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 […]
Cyber-bully attacked key community Zoom meeting
March 8. By Dave Yochum. A cyber-bully hijacked a Zoom meeting of the Smithville Community Coalition, startling and insulting a variety of attendees with the n-word and pornographic images. The meeting had several senior citizens participating when the obscene images took over the screen, according to Willie Jones, a member of the coalition who is […]
