At odds: Cornelius’ redevelopment project in Smithville snags on funding dispute
A redevelopment project in Cornelius’ Smithville section is at risk of delays because town officials and a local coalition can’t agree on how $500,000 in state funds will be used.
Smithville Community Coalition member Willie Jones said Tuesday, during a community meeting, funds budgeted for phase one of the Smithville Revitalization and Workforce Housing Plan are now being slated by town officials for the project’s infrastructure needs.
The project’s goal is to modernize the historically Black neighborhood in Cornelius. Phase one includes ground breaking for new units, property acquisition, rehabilitation for homes and relocation for the residents in those homes, Jones said.
Jones said the coalition initiated the funding request, but it went through the town to secure the allocation. He added the coalition would not be able to finance the first phase without these funds.
“We essentially stop everything except acquiring properties if we don’t get that money,” he said. “It’s a killer for us.”
The project’s first phase was slated to start in 2023. Further delays could also push the project past a statutory deadline to have all planned spending contracted by December 2024. After that date, county funding could be lost.
Mecklenburg County Commissioners and the Cornelius Town Board of Commissioners both previously approved $3 million in American Rescue Plan funds for the project. But after an engineer reviewed how much infrastructure improvements would cost, town officials realized they were a little short.
Cornelius Town Manager Andrew Grant said in a Oct. 3 meeting the town is expected to now use upwards of $3.4 million it received in COVID-19 relief funds. In addition, the town secured $500,000 in state funding with assistance from state lawmakers, including Rep. John Bradford, a Republican who represents Cornelius, he said. The town has now budgeted $4.2 million for infrastructure.
The infrastructure improvements for the neighborhood include improvements to storm water drainage and sidewalks, and installing new public water lines.
Denis Bilodeau, a Cornelius town commissioner, said the town will look for ways to accommodate the coalition.
“We as a town are going to go past (American Rescue Plan Act) money,” he said. “We’re committed to fixing the roads, sidewalks. That project will get done.”
Residents in attendance questioned when infrastructure improvements could begin if there are delays. Infrastructure has long been a desire for the neighborhood, and is a major concern for residents — even those with reservations for the plan. Smithville neighbors also questioned why Smithville Lane, a street in the neighborhood,was not listed for improvements.
A meeting between town officials and the coalition is scheduled for Tuesday.
Bilodeau said the town will continue discussions with the coalition. He added as early as next week there could be a resolution.
“I know there’s a lot of money at stake and time issues we have to deal with, but we’re prepared to do that,” Bilodeau said.
This story was originally published November 4, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
