BY STACIE LETT CAIN

Reversing its decision from October, the Mooresville Town Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a rezoning for the 187-unit Lanterna development on Monday.

Colin Brown of Alexander Ricks PLLC, which represents the developers of a 65.3-acre tract that includes addresses on Clodfelter Road, Shearers Road and Ridge Avenue, saw in October that there was a definite interest in the development even though a majority of commissioners opposed the rezoning at that time.

“This was not approved last time, but what surprised me at that time was to hear how many people were actually interested in this development coming in,” Brown said in his presentation to the Town Board. “We took the positive and the negative that we heard then and listened to what the Town of Mooresville wanted from this development, and what we are presenting tonight shows that.”

In addition to getting N.C. Department of Transportation approval to add a traffic signal at Timber Road and Shearer Road to help alleviate traffic concerns in the area, the developer has also made significant changes to the design of the development, hoping that the additions of green space around the majority of the development, an 8-foot privacy fence system and additional tree line would address neighbors’ concerns.

“We listened to what was said last time,” Brown explained. “We are committed to building this and making it something this community can be proud of. This area is going to be developed, whether it be by rezoning or by-right. We are offering many more amenities than a by-right developer would have to have because we believe that this space needs to be developed very intentionally.”

To sweeten the pot, developers also imposed a restriction on themselves to win over the area’s support. The traffic signal will operational at the time of the platting of the lots.

The board passed the rezoning and annexation request for the development unanimously, changing the parcel from Residential Limited Service (RLS) to Conditional – Traditional Neighborhood. Home building will begin later in 2025 to early in 2026, with the first home being closed on in 2027.

Board approves $10.2 million upgrade for Moor Park

The Board also approved a recommendation to award a contract to G.L. Wilson Building Co. for up to $10,210,900 for renovations and additions at Moor Park.

The baseball park, originally built in 1919, is located at the corner of South Broad and Lowrance at 651 Broad Street. Additional land was purchased behind right field in 2022 with the goal of transforming the classic ballpark into a destination that provides opportunities and future development for the town.

“The ‘cool factor’ has gotten us a lot of attention downtown,” Mayor Chris Carney quipped. “Having Liberty Park and so much of what we are doing on Main Street, along with this project, and it will be cool to see what happens around this in the next ten years. It’s a great tool for economic development and tourism.”

According to Construction Project Manager for Facilities Jon Symoniak, the best part of the renovation is that the park will only be scheduled to be closed for one season.

For Commissioner Eddie Dingler, this project matters for a different reason.

“We toured a lot of facilities getting ready for this and I have been thinking about how far back this project goes,” Dinger shared. “We started this process at $3 million and are sitting now at $11 million today, but working with the staff and sitting in all of those meetings, even then you never get a real vision of where this is going.

“It has been such an honor to see this. This is old Mooresville. There is so much history here and is just one of those cool moments I will look back on someday. I appreciate everyone who has supported this.”

The project will be divided into two phases with more critical work being done in the first stage. The second stage will include renovations along Broad Street, the building of additional restrooms, additional concession areas, a ticket booth and parking. The target completion date is May 1, 2026.

N.C. 150/Transportation Update

Assistant Town Manager Ryan Rase also updated the board on the Highway 150 widening project. The Interstate 77 ramp from NC 150 to southbound I-77 will be closed overnight April 8-11 for tree removal. The ramp will be closed from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Rase also announced that the town of Mooresville has been awarded $2.5 million through the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization Board for two major sidewalk projects, including the North Main Street Sidewalk and Crossing project.

“I know that past Commissioner Barbara Whittington would be very happy this evening because this project is very near and dear to her heart,” Rase said.

Whittington represented Ward 3 in Mooresville. After nearly four decades of service to the Town of Mooresville, she chose not to seek re-election in 2022