Town Buying More Land North of Bailey Road
Parks master plan calls for new parkland in the LP2 and LP3 areas denoted on the map
By Dave Vieser — The Cornelius Town Board last night approved the purchase of 37.4 acres of vacant land at an estimated cost of $961,950. The property is just north of Bailey Road Park, adjacent to a vacant 36.18 acre parcel purchased last year.
“The town’s land use plan recommends this area for park and recreational uses, or light commerce,” Town Manager Andrew Grant said. “However, the topography of the land would make commercial development very difficult.”
Approximate location of two land purchases north of Bailey Road
Where will the money come from for the purchase? According to Grant, it may ultimately be funded by the park bonds approved by voters in 2024. However, the town is not scheduled to sell the first of three park bonds until the 2027 fiscal year.
“When that occurs, the town may choose to reimburse the General Fund for the acquisition costs using the bond proceeds,” said Grant.
The adjacent land purchased last year had been the proposed site of a commercial development that generated significant opposition among area residents. The proposal was ultimately rejected by the town before the purchase.
The 10-year parks master plan adopted in 2024 calls for adding two large parks east of Old Statesville Road, each approximately 100 acres or more, in the general areas north and south of Bailey Road.
Potential cost offset
Later in the night the board approved the Cornelius parks department’s pursuit of a state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant that, if awarded later this summer, would offset $500,000 toward the most recent land purchase.
