Clark Row sketch submitted to Davidson in August 2023 by the applicants.

By TL Bernthal. Sept. 12. The public is invited to attend a community meeting to learn more about proposals for the development of the Tom Clark buildings.

The Thomas F. Clark Revocable Trust proposes a conditional planning area to redevelop the existing storefront buildings at 121-129 N. Main Street in downtown Davidson.

Preliminary plans include the preservation of existing storefronts and a new four-story addition at the rear of the existing buildings.

Prominent architect Chuck Travis, the former mayor of Cornelius and designer of some of the buildings in Birkdale Village, is the late Clark’s long-time architectural consultant.

Clark, who graduated from Davidson College in 1949—and later taught in the Department of Religion—was internationally famous for his gnome sculptures. He established Cairn Studios in Davidson with another alumnus, Joe Poteat. 

The Davidson community is invited to attend a public meeting on Monday, Sept. 18, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm on the lower level of the Davidson Town Hall & Community Center, 251 S. Main St. The meeting room can be accessed from the rear parking lot, near  Cathey Street.

The purpose of the community meeting is to introduce the project to the community and to share the development goals/evolution of conceptual design.

Identical overview presentations by the project team will occur at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm, with time allotted for questions and viewing the plans in an open house format after each event.

Additional information about the proposed plan is available on the Town of Davidson’s Planning Department website.

Thomas Clark photo: Legacy.com