Smithville
Major step forward for Smithville redevelopment
March 17. By Dave Vieser. The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $3 million grant from the American Rescue Plan for Smithville revitalization. “There will be another round of county funding in the fall, and we look forward to meeting the requirements of that RFP too,” said Willie Jones, a leader of the […]
Smithville revitalization plan gets nod from Planning Board
March 15. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Planning Board has unanimously endorsed the Smithville Revitalization Plan. The approval at Monday’s meeting followed a detailed overview of the plan provided by Willie Jones of the Smithville Community Coalition which calls for workforce housing, rehabilitation of existing properties and subdividing some properties in the historically Black community […]
Cyber-bully attacked key community Zoom meeting
March 8. By Dave Yochum. A cyber-bully hijacked a Zoom meeting of the Smithville Community Coalition, startling and insulting a variety of attendees with the n-word and pornographic images. The meeting had several senior citizens participating when the obscene images took over the screen, according to Willie Jones, a member of the coalition who is […]
Smithville Coalition meets Monday via Zoom
Feb. 25. The Smithville Community Coalition monthly meeting will be held via Zoom Feb. 28 starting at 6:30 pm. To join, click here Meeting ID: 873 7393 9420 Passcode: SCC
American Rescue Fund windfall a ‘pleasant surprise’
Feb. 14. By Dave Vieser. Last week, Cornelius officials revealed that the town will be eligible to receive $9.6 million from the American Rescue Plan. All told, the federal grants will deliver some $1.9 trillion across the country to support responses to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. Cornelius plans to use its […]
Windfall: Town Board eyes how to spend $9.6 million in federal stimulus funds
Feb. 9. By Dave Vieser. Cornelius will be eligible to receive $9.6 million from the American Rescue Fund according to town Manager Andrew Grant, who unveiled the good news at the Town Board meeting Feb. 7. All told, the plan will deliver some $1.9 trillion across the country to support responses to and recovery from […]
Smithville plan on deck tonight
Jan. 18. By Dave Vieser. At their meeting tonight, the Cornelius Town Board is expected to establish a review process for the final draft of the Smithville Revitalization Plan. According to Deputy Town Manager Wayne Herron, “the Smithville Community Coalition has been working on the neighborhood redevelopment plan for two years”. In the final draft, […]
Praise in the Park is Saturday at Smithville Park
Sept. 17. One of the longest running free, family-friendly festivals returns to Cornelius this weekend. Praise in the Park is an annual event that features local, regional, and national gospel artists along with food and educational and inspirational vendors. Performances Performers include Bonita Bourney-Simmons, Tiffani Lewis, Gary Mumford, Tawanna Ross, Cassandra O’Neal, Frankie & the […]
Smithville revitalization: Change is inevitable
| By Tonya Rivens June 10. Smithville residents are slowly grappling with the fact that their historic, tightly knit neighborhood is changing. In April, the Smithville Community Coalition (SCC) hosted its first open community meeting at which time a revitalization plan was presented. But two months later, there still appears to be no consensus around […]
Smithville revitalization: How best to fight gentrification and preserve history?
April 9. By Tonya Rivens. At the first open community Zoom meeting of the Smithville Community Coalition, approximately 23 residents along with Mayor Washam and several Town Commissioners heard about their ambitious revitalization plan for the Black community just east of I-77. Observers say there is no consensus yet as to how to revitalize and […]
