Town Outlines Priorities for State Legislature

By Dave Vieser — At their March 2 meeting, the Cornelius Town Board outlined its priority state legislative agenda for 2026. Town officials will share the priorities with members of the North Carolina General Assembly to clarify the town’s top concerns and request state grant funding for capital projects.

In order of priority:

— Local taxing authority: Oppose legislation that would remove local governments’ taxing authority. Municipal officials said towns such as Cornelius rely on that authority to fund public safety and transportation improvements.

— West Catawba widening: Accelerate the long-delayed NCDOT road widening project, which has been in development since the early 2000s. In 2024, the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization voted to rank existing and committed projects by seniority. West Catawba, committed since the early 2000s, is the oldest unbuilt project in Division 10.

— Westmoreland interchange: Allocate $9.5 million for planning and design of a future interchange at Exit 27 on Interstate 77 to support regional economic development, improve the transportation network and enhance emergency access to the new Atrium Health hospital.

— Public safety facility: Provide $3 million to acquire property for a future public safety facility. The project would include a third fire station to serve the southwest portion of town and a police substation.

— Fire department radios: Allocate $1 million to replace Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue radios that are nearing the end of their service life.

— Pedestrian safety: Provide $2 million to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of N.C. 115 and Catawba Avenue to accommodate increased foot traffic in downtown Cornelius.

— Recreation center: Allocate $3.5 million to construct a town recreation center on the campus of the soon-to-be rebuilt Cornelius Elementary School.

The agenda also includes two affordable housing initiatives:

— $2 million to the Lake Norman Community Development Corporation to implement the Smithville Revitalization Plan.

— $2 million to the Lake Norman Community Development Corporation to support affordable housing development throughout the town, separate from the Smithville project.

Finally, the town is requesting that the Interstate 77 shoulder lane project move forward or that funds allocated for the shoulder lanes be redirected to other I-77 projects between Exits 23 and 36.