East Lake Norman News

Town of Davidson issued the following announcement on Jan. 23.

The Town of Davidson is pleased to share that the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners approved funding for 75 local projects with money allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act. Among these projects are two from the Town of Davidson, including $1 million to support the revised Comprehensive Housing Affordability Program and $2 million to support the renovation of the Baccalaureate School Gymnasium behind the new Town Hall and Community Center at 251 South Street. 

Affordable Housing and Homelessness

In the category of Affordable Housing and Homelessness, Mecklenburg County is funding $1 million in support of the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Program (CHAP) in Davidson. CHAP brings together the forces of the Town of Davidson, Habitat for Humanity, and the Community Foundation of Davidson, Davidson Housing Coalition, and the Brenda Tapia Foundation to support critical home repair and rental subsidies in town. Partners been working on this collaboration for several months, and are gratified that this funding will enable the CHAP program to cover the costs of repairs and rental subsidies to keep families safe and comfortable in their homes. 

Parks, Environment and Infrastructure

Within the category of Parks, Environment and Infrastructure, Mecklenburg County will fund $2 million in support of the Baccalaureate School Gymnasium, a 1937 historic landmark located behind the new Town Hall & Community Center. The dollars will fund the repair of the failing structure and renovate the inside of the building to be used as a multi-purpose facility for the whole community. The facility will be able to fill the need of the town’s first public indoor active space that can also be used for youth/senior activities and special events.

As residents may recall, the renovation of the gym was not a part of the original scope of the work at the site at 251 South Street, but the building is extremely significant for the Town of Davidson. Its repair and restoration were in the long term plans for the site, but this funding opportunity allows the project to move forward at a quicker pace. The town be operating under a deadline due to Mecklenburg County’s American Rescue Plan Act funding restrictions, so next steps likely include hiring an architect and engaging with the Historic Landmarks Commission to determine next steps. 

More information to come about both exciting initiatives for the Town of Davidson. To see the full list of projects funded by Mecklenburg County, please see their news announcement here Davidson Awarded $3 Million in Mecklenburg County American Rescue Plan Act Funding. For further information about the Town of Davidson’s American Rescue Plan Act funding, visit the ARPA webpage here.

Original source can be found here.