Dec. 17. By Dave Vieser. At their final 2024 meeting, the Cornelius Town Board outlined their priority state legislative agenda items for 2025. Town officials will convey these priorities to state representatives in the General Assembly so they have a clearer understanding of the highest priority issues concerning the town and its citizens.

In order of priority:

—Approval of requested Transportation Sales Tax legislation authorizing a Mecklenburg County referendum allowing the citizens to determine if an additional 1 cent sales tax for investments in road and transit improvements is appropriate.

—$9.5M for planning & design for a future Westmoreland Interchange (Exit 27, I-77) for regional economic development, improvement to the transportation network, and improving emergency & patient access to the new Atrium hospital.

—$3M for the acquisition of property for the construction of a future Public Safety Facility. This facility will include a third Fire Station that will provide adequate geographic coverage for the southwest portion of the Town, along with a Police Substation to accommodate the facility needs of the police.

—$1M for replacing Cornelius Fire Department’s radios that are nearing end of life.

—$2M to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of NC 115/Catawba Ave. to accommodate increased pedestrian activity in the downtown Cornelius area.

—$3.5M to construct a Town Recreation Center on the campus of the soon-to-be rebuilt Cornelius Elementary School.

The agenda also included two affordable housing initiatives:

—$2M to be provided directly to the Lake Norman CDC (Community Development Corporation) for the implementation of the Smithville Revitalization Plan

—$2M to be to the Lake Norman CDC (Community Development Corporation) for the development of affordable housing throughout the Town (not related to the Smithville community).