FROM STAFF REPORTS
The Statesville City Council on Monday took a first step toward entering a Master Development Agreement for a construction project that would include a five-level parking deck, a 126-unit apartment building and an expansion of Statesville Police Department Headquarters on city-owned land.
During its Monday meeting in a 6-2 vote, the council approved a Non-Binding Letter of Intent (LOI) between the City of Statesville and the David E. Looper Company (DELCO) to enter into a Master Development Agreement that would detail the responsibilities involved with the multi-phase project.
City Manager Ron Smith said the project is planned in three stages: SPD expansion first; parking deck second; and the apartment building third. Smith said the city would not put the project out for bid due to the multi-stage nature of the project and the need for consistency in project management.
The first step would be demolition of the three Front Street properties, he said.
The development agreement would include the following:
♦ Creation of a Downtown Development Project;
♦ Selling through private sale to DELCO of just over one acre of city-owned property that fronts Sharpe Street, which is currently used as a parking lot;
♦ Demolition of the Parrish Tire Building (150 East Front Street), Price’s Auto (128 E. Front Street), and the old Walker Insurance Building (124 E. Front Street);
♦ Construction of a 14,000-square-foot expansion to the Statesville Police Department Headquarters;
♦ Construction of a 315-space, five-level parking deck at East Front Street and Tradd Street with 126 spaces dedicated to the planned apartment building;
♦ Construction of a pocket park at 128 E. Front Street; and
♦ Construction of a 126-unit market-rate apartment building on East Sharpe Street
Although specific financial information has yet to be compiled, estimated costs include apartment building construction (private funds) at $26 million; SPD expansion (public funds) at $8 million; and the parking deck (public funds with private payback after five years from the apartment developer for the 126 spaces) at $5 million.
Council member C.O. Johnson questioned using fund balance to defray costs of the public portions of the project, and council member Frederick Foster asked for clarification about plans for sanitation and water runoff, which Smith said will be addressed in the site plan phase.
Council member Steve Johnson also voiced concerns about the city incurring too much debt at a time when new projects like a fire station are on the horizon and inflation may continue to be an issue.
“We don’t need to be pulling money out of the fund balance at this point,” he said. “We talk about a strategic plan — it’s not strategic if you don’t stick to it.”
Council member Doris Allison spoke strongly in favor of moving forward, and warned that it would be ill-advised to wait and risk that meeting the need for SPD expansion and more parking could cost more for the city.
“Our staff has proven time and again to be able to find the resources,” she said.
The council had given conceptual approval to move forward with the project in closed session at its July 17 meeting. Monday’s vote was a broad approval to proceed with creating the Master Development Agreement, where more specific details would be determined.
FuseArt Project
More than 30 designs from local artists were considered for a new public art project that plans to transform electrical boxes into canvases.
The project, which would be fully funded by a $10,000 grant from ElectriCities, was approved by the Statesville City Council during its Consent Agenda on Monday evening, and would allow nine city-owned downtown electrical boxes to be wrapped in original art as part of the FuseArt initiative. The project is still pending approval from the Design Review Committee.
“The goal is to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the streets and sidewalks through transforming these necessary structures into creative and identifiable landmarks,” according to the FuseArt proposal.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business, the council:
♦ Approved a $62,000 economic incentive over five years for Weinig Holz-Her, a manufacturer of processed wood and derived timber products. The company, with headquarters in Mooresville, is looking to expand its footprint in the region with the lease of a Statesville facility and investment in new machinery and equipment. The company plans to make a $4,150,000 capital investment by December 31, 2027, with the creation of 21 to 43 jobs at a salary of $64,433.
♦ Approved a first reading of an annexation request for 9.67 acres located at 504 Whites Mill Road. The parcel is the site of Calvary Baptist Church of Statesville, which is proposing a 12,000-square-foot gymnasium addition. Calvary Baptist is seeking voluntary annexation to utilize city sewer service. The current tax value of the parcel is listed as $2,310,560. The applicant estimates that project value would be $886,000. A second reading of the request is set for November 6.
♦ Approved a first reading of an annexation request submitted by Margie and Bobby Pope for 0.7 acres at 2716 Newton Drive. The applicant requests voluntary annexation to utilize City water service. A second reading was set for November 6.
♦ Approved a resolution to sell a 0.3-acre city property located on the southern side of East Broad Street between Salisbury Road and South Oakwood Drive. Briarstone Ventures entered the winning bid for the property at $35,000. Sale of the property is conditioned upon beginning development of property within 12 months of closing and cleaning up of property within 90 days of closing.
♦ Approved first reading of rezoning request for a 16.13-acre property located at 103 Serene Meadow Trail Meadow Trail in Statesville. The request is to rezone the property from Iredell County RA (Residential Agricultural) District and Troutman RS (Suburban Residential) to City of Statesville RA (Residential Agricultural) District. A second reading was set for November 6.
♦ Approved a first reading of an amendment to the city’s 2019 Mobility + Development Plan to remove the proposed future thoroughfare identified as Berkshire Drive extension. City staff recommended an alternate route that could replace the future extension of Berkshire Drive and still meet the intent of an urban loop being created around the city. The urban loop is projected to be multi-modal with sidewalks and bicycle facilities. The new route would run from the northern portion of Berkshire Drive south to Harmony Drive, east onto Harmony Drive, then south on Brookwood Drive, east on Foxcroft Lane, then south on Fox Avenue to Salisbury Road. A second reading is set for November 6.