Special to Iredell Free News

Travel any direction in Mooresville and you will see evidence that the town and surrounding area is growing rapidly.

Mooresville has evolved from a small mill town to a thriving lakeside community, serving more than 50,000 residents and visitors. The area was recently rated a top lake destination by multiple sources and boasts unique opportunities for people from all walks of life. It’s a place where small-town charm and Southern hospitality meet big city entertainment along with a growing variety of retail and dining opportunities and world-class industry.

To better serve the growing community, the Town of Mooresville has seven major new facilities construction projects completed in 2022 or currently in progress. These projects, funded by a direct investment of over $33 million by the Town Board of Commissioners, will provide residents and visitors with innovative facilities, enhancing quality of life and making Mooresville even more of a destination.

Two of these projects—Mooresville Fire-Rescue Fire Training Center and Station 6—were completed and opened earlier this year. Five projects—Mooresville Police Department Headquarters, Liberty Park Phase 2, Skate Park, West Side Library, and Mazeppa Park (turf conversion)—are still under construction with most projects currently scheduled to be complete before the end of 2022.

Town staff are working diligently to ensure project timelines are met so these facilities can begin serving our community as quickly as possible. 

Facilities Projects

Police Headquarters

Mooresville Police Department is currently preparing for relocation this fall to the new headquarters facility located at the intersection of Brawley School Road and N.C. Highway 21. This new state-of-the-art 50,000-square-foot facility will provide additional communications, evidence, and holding cell space along with a designated K9 building. The new headquarters will also feature an enhanced community room space that will allow for additional community events and engagement without compromising department security. The facility will more than double the department’s headquarters space, providing capacity for future growth. With major exterior work complete, work is focusing on interior projects and preparing the building for occupancy. Perimeter fencing is on-going, planting has begun, dispatch console installs have begun, and interior finish work continues. The project construction cost is $19,048,500, and work is scheduled to be completed in late summer with anticipated occupancy in September.

Library West Branch

One of the primary 2022 strategic goals for the Town Board of Commissioners was Expanding Mooresville Public Library’s services and reach. To accomplish this, the Town is creating the West Branch by renovating a building located at 614 Brawley School Road. The West Branch will feature a drive-thru for book pickups, small group study rooms, meeting rooms, and all-age programming. Additional LSTA grant funding has provided for cardholder early/late-hours quiet-time access and self-service check in/out kiosks. Mooresville Public Library will be one of the first public libraries in North Carolina to utilize the quiet-time access feature. The project includes significant interior work. All interior work has been completed and exterior components have begun. This $897,700 project is scheduled to be completed in late summer. The West Branch is scheduled to open in fall.

Liberty Park Phase 2

The Town’s investment in the Liberty Park revitalization has created a downtown destination space not only for residents but also visitors locally, regionally, and nationally. The 2019-2020 Phase 1 project included a concert band shell and Veterans Promenade. The $7,930,221 Phase 2 project which broke ground in February includes a three-tier playground, interactive fountain, picnic shelter, greenway connection to Center Avenue, new restrooms and concession stand, and a covered basketball court that may also be used for events like the seasonal Farmers’ Markets. The Phase 2 of the project is scheduled to be completed in early summer 2023. Steel decking is complete, rough plumbing and electrical on restroom/pumphouse is ongoing.

Skate Park

The Town of Mooresville strives to not only invest in its public facilities but also to ensure Town facilities meet the needs and expectations of users. After seeking substantial public input from the skate community, improvements began on the Town’s Skate Park, located at 748 W. Iredell Avenue (adjacent to the current Police Department), in February. This project contains significant park expansions and upgrades including bowl and street features, racing-themed design (chosen by the skate community), designated restroom facilities, and athletic field lighting. Currently, skate feature work continues, shotcrete work has begun, and building footers poured. Once completed, the new park will be 40,000 square feet, making it one of the largest skate parks in the region. The $2,841,492 project is scheduled to be complete in late fall.

Mazeppa Park Turf Conversion

Since the creation of Mazeppa Park, the Town of Mooresville has sought partners to make this sports field facility a regional draw for those participating in youth sports. The vision started with a partnership with the Convention and Visitors Bureau to turf two of the six sports fields. The Town is now forming an additional partnership with Charlotte Independence Soccer Club to convert two additional sports fields at Mazeppa Park. The goal of this project is to provide an all-weather playing surface for sports and increase the usability of the facilities for local, regional, and travel sports leagues. Phase 1 (cost of $777,750) work is complete and included resurfacing of existing turf fields. Phase 2 (cost of $1,626,131) includes conversion of existing grass fields to synthetic turf. Fence posts, curb, and base work are on-going for Phase 2. Work is scheduled to be completed in September.