Town Approves Key Step in Smithville Plan

By Dave Vieser — Cornelius commissioners unanimously approved a key step in the Smithville Revitalization Plan at their Monday meeting.

The town is partnering with Charlotte Water to replace all public water lines along Smithville Lane, South Hill Street, South Ferry Street, Vivian Lane and Weathers Street. Water service has been a constant concern for residents in the area, and the agreement approved Monday establishes the design, construction and funding parameters for the project.

The town will bid and hold the contract for the entire project, including the water lines. Charlotte Water will be responsible for inspections and testing of the water line portion, while the town will handle inspections and testing for all stormwater and roadway aspects. Charlotte Water will reimburse the town for all water line-related construction costs.

Bidding is scheduled for this summer, with construction expected to begin soon after contract approval.

The measure will be combined with other decisions aimed at improving infrastructure in Smithville, a historically Black community just east of Interstate 77. The community has suffered from years of neglect, according to Smithville Community Coalition officials and residents. The town and Mecklenburg County have each committed $3 million to the overall plan.

Through the revitalization, organizers hope to retain as many existing and historic structures as possible, add sidewalks and wider streets, address sewer and water issues, and provide workforce housing that allows current residents to remain in their homes.

In other action Monday, commissioners:

• Authorized an extension of a joint-use agreement between the town and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for shared recreational use of facilities at J.V. Washam Elementary School. The agreement allows the town to construct improvements, including synthetic turf, athletic field lighting and a restroom building, along with related site upgrades. The amendment also extends the agreement by 20 years, from Aug. 25, 2036, to Aug. 25, 2056.
• Approved a request from Aspirational Adventures LLC to amend zoning on about 0.92 acres of vacant land at 20219 N. Main St. from conditional zoning to neighborhood mixed use. The previous zoning reflected a 2024 approval anticipating a microbrewery, which is no longer planned.