Statesville, North Carolina Development News

City Council Approves Contract for Downtown Small Area Plan Update

The City Council considered approving a contract with Land Design Inc. to develop a small area plan for the downtown municipal service district and its immediate environs. This plan aims to update the 2009 downtown master plan, which had successfully reduced vacant commercial spaces and increased residential units. The need for an update stems from ongoing public power conversions causing downtown disruption, alleyway reconstruction opportunities, waste and parking pressures, potential passenger rail service, and continued commercial investment. Land Design Inc. was selected due to their familiarity with the city, having completed the original 2009 plan, and their proven track record of implementable plans in similar communities. Funding for the $75,000 plan comes from previously allocated budget and a remaining Brownfields assessment grant. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the use of the Brownfields grant funds, with one council member expressing concern that using them for the downtown plan was inconsistent with the original intent of benefiting South Statesville. Ultimately, the council approved the contract with the added request for staff to provide an accounting of previous grant fund expenditures.