86 - Winter/Spring 2023

Information You Can Use

WINTER/SPRING 2023

CONCORD INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE PROJECT SOLID WASTE SERVICE CHANGES

Concord City Circular W IN T E R/SPR ING 2023

In this Issue: From the Mayor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Manager’s Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Concord International Festival . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Meet Jaime Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Solid Waste Service Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2023 Recycling Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 What To Recycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 We're Hiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Highlights from 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Third Grade Civic Ed Returns . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Downtown Streetscape Project . . . . . . . . . . 12 Concord 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 High 5 Quarterly High Performers . . . . . . . 15 Spring Safe Disposal Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Important Phone Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Get Connected: Get connected with Concord through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Simply scan the QR codes below with your smartphone or go to facebook.com/concordnc, twitter.com/concordncgov, and instagram.com/concordncgov.

City Council

Andy Langford District 1

Brian King District 2

Terry L. Crawford District 5 Mayor Pro Tem

Betty M. Stocks District 3

Jennifer P. Hubbard District 6

JC McKenzie District 4

John A. Sweat, Jr. District 7

View our district map at concordnc.gov/CityCouncil.

24th Annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament Benefiting Youth Programs Rocky River Golf Club hosted the Mayor’s Golf Tournament

concordnc.gov Visit our City’s website where you’ll find a wealth of information. Pay bills online, access government and City departments, and discover what’s going on in Concord.

The event raised over $12,000 for youth programs in our community.

A special thank you to the sponsors that help make the event possible, as well as city and golf course staff members who organized the event and volunteered their time and effort.

About the cover: Rendering of future

streetscape in downtown Concord, NC The Concord City Circular is produced quarterly by the City Manager’s Office to provide Concord citizens with information about current activities of the City of Concord. It contains items that will help make it easier for you to do business with the City. Your comments and questions are welcomed. Please send them to:

Concord City Circular

P.O. Box 308, Concord, NC 28026 or call 704-920-5210 or e-mail publicaffairs@concordnc.gov. designed by Granite Sky Civic

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Visit concordnc.gov to subscribe to the CityLink email newsletter, and receive semi-monthly updates and information about Concord direct to your inbox.

Concord City Circular W I N T ER/S PR I NG 2 0 2 3

From the Mayor

Manager’s Notes William “Bill” Dusch

Lloyd Wm. Payne, Jr. Concord City Manager

Exciting Projects Underway Across Our City

Paving the Way for Enhanced Downtown Experiences

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A LOT

going on in our great city and so much to look forward to in the months ahead. From the potential of thousands of new jobs to the Parks and Recreation Bond projects, we are proud of the progress being made.

As you drive along Concord Parkway, on the north side of the street you can see the steel rising on the new Eli Lilly plant site, which is scheduled to open in about two years. Lilly will be the home for many new jobs paying well above our county’s average wage. Of these 600 total jobs, 400 of them will be production-related. Eli Lilly wants to make sure there are individuals in our workforce that have the skills needed for these new production jobs, so to do this, Lilly is working with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) to create a training program to help make this happen. As the plant nears completion, RCCC and Eli Lilly will provide information on how interested individuals can access this training.

On the other side of Concord Parkway, plans continue to develop for the Red Bull, Rauch and Ball Aluminum plants. These three plants will work together to make the Red Bull products. Ball Aluminum will make the cans, Rauch will make and fill the Red Bull products, and Red Bull will inventory and distribute the products.

(I also hear that Red Bull gives people “wings” but I am not sure how that works!) We are hearing that the expected groundbreaking on this Red Bull site will be in 2023. This project is an over $1 billion investment in our community. As more details become available with this project, we will share it with you.

Some of you might remember that this area along Concord Parkway was the site of the Philip Morris plant until it closed in 2009. The construction of the new Eli Lilly and Red Bull/Rauch/Ball plants will exceed the total investment that Philip Morris made in Concord over their nearly 30 years at that site.

For the first time since 1984, the citizens of Concord were asked to pass a General Obligation Bond in the November 8, 2022 election….and they did! The $60 million Parks and Recreation bond will be used to build four new parks, renovate five existing parks and construct eight miles of new greenways within the park projects. continued on page 15

HELLO CONCORD. WE ARE

slowly exiting the winter months and preparing for spring. The flowers and trees are blooming and our city is booming. As we all ride around our city, we see the multiple construction projects. As the 10th largest city (out of 540 cities/towns) and the 6th fastest growing city in North Carolina, Concord continues to be a thriving community that is desired by current and future residents and businesses. Team Concord continues to look for ways each day to enhance your live, work, and play experiences.

Our Downtown exemplifies a tremendous variety of public-private partnerships to this end. LMG continues their work on the Novi Lofts, Flats, and Rise projects.

Novi Flats is a mixed-use project with 48 residential units and commercial space on the ground level. It is adjacent to the County parking deck and will be completed later this spring. Novi Rise is another mixed-use project going up behind City Hall and will rise to seven stories. It will have 167 residential units with commercial space for dining and shopping on the ground level, and parking underneath the structure for residents. Novi Lofts is a mixed-use project as well with 89 residential units and commercial space on the ground level. The Lofts is currently under construction and will have store fronts on both Union and Market Streets. The project also plans for a rooftop restaurant overlooking Downtown. Together, the Novi projects are over $80M in private investment resulting in 300 residential units in our downtown.

The Streetscape project is well underway and will result in 22-foot-wide sidewalks that will further enhance pedestrian travel, outdoor dining, and social gathering.

All of the utilities will be replaced, new landscaping put in, and new smart light poles will be installed to enhance the downtown experience. Yes, the current improvements have and will create some minor inconveniences for our businesses and patrons but will be worth it when the project is completed. Currently, we anticipate the project to be complete by the end of 2024. City staff continue to work with business owners and tenants on the construction timeline and ways to maintain communication at a high level during this time.

The Annex (at the corner of Barbrick and Union streets) continued on page 16 concordnc.gov | 3

Concord City Circular W IN T E R/SPR ING 2023

A Celebration of Culture and Community

ncord The Co tional a Intern ival Fest n turn o will re 7, 2023. r Octobe

TE DA !

Be sure to mark your calendar and save the date for this year’s festival!

TE DA !

E

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 2nd Annual Concord International Festival in Downtown Concord! More than 8,000 attendees experienced the food, music, dance, and art that reflect the richness of our many diverse communities.

Last year’s festival had more than 60 different cultures represented. We were thrilled to partner with El Puente Hispano to bring this celebration of culture and community to Downtown Concord and could not do it without their tremendous support VE TH and partnership.

SA

The Concord International Festival will return on October 7, 2023. You can visit concordinternationalfestival. com to learn more about the event, and

E

VE TH SA

be sure to follow us and El Puente Hispano on social media for updates throughout the year!

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Concord City Circular W I N T ER/S PR I NG 2 0 2 3

Meet Jaime Brown DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STRATEGIST

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e are excited to introduce our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategist, Jaime Brown. Jaime (pronounced like “Jamaica” without the “ca”) joined the city last September and brings with her extensive knowledge and experience from the private sector and academia. In her role as DEI Strategist, Jaime works closely with city leadership and community partners to develop and implement trainings, programs, and activities that ensure Concord remains a vibrant community where everyone feels they are valued and belong.

Prior to joining the City of Concord, Jaime worked as a DEI/Employee Experience Consultant for nonprofit and corporate clients, and worked in higher education to connect students and staff to opportunities that enhanced their experiences. She is also an Adjunct Instructor, teaching personal branding and professional discernment courses at Georgetown University, where she is simultaneously finishing her MBA. Jaime works with city leaders, coworkers, and community partners to develop internal employee DEI programs and training. All city employees are currently required to complete at least one DEI training each year.

In speaking about why she’s excited to be part of Team Concord, Jaime expressed enthusiasm and a desire to elevate employee experiences through DEI initiatives: “We spend a lot of time at work so I want people to be seen, heard, and valued during their time here. Additionally, I value the impact this role can have in the community through uplifting the 1,200 city employees and through my own efforts due to my level of care and connection to customers, residents, and other key stakeholders.

I welcome this opportunity as a reciprocal learning experience. I want to share my knowledge with the team and community broadly, and look forward to connecting with folks to absorb information from them.”

public transit. Jaime is actively working with the committee to facilitate the continuation of this important work.

Jaime also serves as the liaison to the Concord United Committee, which was established by City Council to examine racial inequities within city departments, programs, policies and procedures. The Committee presented its first annual report to City Council last September. The report included a summary of their work and recommendations on affordable housing, and their ongoing efforts surrounding

A New Jersey native, Jaime currently resides in Cabarrus County with her fiancé and son. She enjoys exploring the area through art, food, and culture. She earned her Master’s from New York University and her Bachelor’s from Rutgers University. She is also a certified yoga instructor with a trauma-informed certification and runs outdoor fitness series in her home area of Mercer County, NJ. • concordnc.gov | 5

Solid Waste Services Changes

Concord City Circular W IN T E R/SPR ING 2023

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Beginning July 3, 2023, the City will bring

residential solid waste services in-house. City crews will begin providing collection of all garbage and recycling using the automated trucks similar to those of our current contractor.

For garbage and recycling, the method of collection, as well as the guidelines, will remain the same. The City will use 9 new garbage routes, 5 new recycle routes, and 1 mixed mini-rear loader route to serve our more than 36,000 eligible homes.

Q: How will Solid Waste Services Change?

A: The major change coming in July, will be the switch to a 4-day work week rather than the 5-day work week we have now. As routes are rebalanced to 4-day scheduling, we will make every effort to keep residents on the same collection day where possible. However, all residents with collection on Friday will be moved to another collection day. The goal is for this change to impact as few residents as possible. We will announce our new collection schedules in early May 2023.

This switch to a 4-day work week is also being made to provide a more consistent collection schedule on holiday weeks where the City of Concord observes a holiday. Collection for all services will operate on a one-day delay to account for observed holidays.

Q: When will this change take effect?

A: Monday, July 3rd will be the first day of City collected garbage and recycling, as well as the switch to a 4-day work week. With the July 4th holiday, Monday residents will receive service on Monday, and Tuesday to

Thursday customers will have a one-day delay for collection of ALL waste streams. This takes the guess work out of knowing which day the City will pick up yard waste as opposed to the contractor’s collection schedule for garbage and recycling.

Q: What will the benefits of this change be?

A: The City places a great emphasis on

excellent customer service. Having direct control over all services will allow us to improve efficiency in the delivery of service, including flexibility in staffing and having adequate resources available at all times. We can also mobilize quickly to meet emergencies or other special circumstances.

We are confident that City employees will take ownership and pride in their work, as our current employees do, and can provide the prompt and professional service that our residents expect from our organization. We will employ the use of technology in our trucks, enabling us to obtain real-time data on service “misses” and any violations that may occur.

All of these factors will improve service to our residents, while keeping costs at or below the current cost of contracting.

While this change is a big undertaking, we’re excited for the opportunity to better serve our citizens. To make this change possible, we plan to hire a total of 20 new employees to begin service: 16 new drivers, 2 supervisors, an additional Customer Service Specialist, and an Assistant Superintendent. All positions will be filled in the spring. If you’re interested in joining Team Concord, learn more by visiting concordnc.gov/employment. •

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2023 Recycling & Bulky Waste Calendar January

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 Blue Recycling Week  Green Recycling Week  City Holiday For City Holidays, collection will be delayed one day the remainder of the week.

Place carts out before 6:00 am the day of collection with wheels facing your home. Please retrieve emptied carts by 9:00 pm that night.

Do not block sidewalks with your carts, and be sure to space carts 2 feet apart from one another or any parked cars, mailboxes, etc.

Recycling & Bulky Waste is collected every-other-week on your regularly scheduled garbage day.

If you are a City of Concord resident, recycling roll-out carts are free. Call 704.920.5555.

Bulky waste is anything that won’t fit inside or isn’t allowed in your garbage cart, such as furniture, construction and demolition debris, tires, scrap metal (including lawn equipment, bicycles, etc.), electronics and appliances.

Cart lids must be able to close completely.

Extra bags of trash and recyclables placed outside your cart will not be collected; however, for special occasions such as parties and family reunions, the

City will collect a small number of extra bags. All special collections must be scheduled in advance.

Those who consistently have more garbage than the green roll-out cart can hold may call to reserve an extra brown garbage cart for a monthly fee.

All cardboard must be flattened and must be placed in your recycling cart.

Additional flattened boxes can be collected as a courtesy; however, you must request this service in advance.

Do not bag your recyclables. Place them in the cart loose.

Register to receive collection schedule changes and other important updates via phone, text, or email at concordnc.gov/whatsmyday.

For more information on Solid Waste Services: concordnc.gov or 704.920.5555 concordnc.gov | 7

Concord City Circular W IN T E R/SPR ING 2023

DON’T TANGLE OR CONTAMINATE

RECYCLE MORE FOR A GREENER STATE

PLASTIC

METAL

Bottles, jugs and jars

No caps, lids or pumps

All cans

Empty and rinse

GLASS

Empty and rinse

PAPER

Bottles and jars

Paper, cartons and cardboard

Empty and rinse

Flatten cardboard

KEEP THESE OUT!

Get the FREE APP Search for CARTology to download our mobile app in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).  Know your

Collection Day

 Sign up for

FREE reminders

 Find out

how to dispose of items

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All batteries (car, lithium, etc.)

Ceramic items Clothing or textiles Diapers Disposable cups (plastic and paper) Electronics

Food-tainted items Hazardous waste Household glass Medical waste Plastic bags/wrap Scrap metal/wood Shredded paper

Styrofoam/peanuts Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires, etc.)

Tires Toys Please don't bag your recyclables

Concord City Circular W I N T ER/S PR I NG 2 0 2 3

Join

TEAM CO NCOR D!

NO DUMPING! only rain down the drain

We Offer:

Competitive compensation Tuition reimbursement

Health and dental insurance

Help prevent and spot illegal dumping and report issues immediately!

Keep out of storm drains and ditches: ■ ■

Paid 401k and retirement

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Employee wellness center

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Free onsite fitness centers

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Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

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concordnc.gov/employment

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Yard Waste Pet Waste Trash and Litter Oils, Paints, and Grease Cleaners and Soaps Pool Water Construction Materials

   WHAT GOES DOWN THE DRAIN?

only rain down the drain

We’re Hiring!

If you suspect an illicit discharge or stormwater pollution, call our hotline at 704-920-5555. concordnc.gov | 9

Concord City Circular W IN T E R/SPR ING 2023

As we look back on all that we accomplished in the last year, we are incredibly grateful for the talented members of Team Concord who have worked hard to provide exceptional service to residents and visitors and continue to make Concord one of the best places to live, work, and play.

Join us in looking back at a few of our 2022 highlights.

JAN UA RY

M AY

For the 22nd year, Concord received the nation’s highest budget award -the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

Naming of the Bruton Smith Boulevard, I-85 bridge the “Jason N. Shuping Memorial Bridge”.

FEBRUA RY

HGTV Names Concord one of America’s Most Charming SmallTown Downtowns.

M ARC H

Grand Opening of The Mills at Rocky River, Hector H. Henry Greenway.

Concord Named One of North Carolina’s 20 Safest Cities of 2022.

A PR IL

Grand opening of Fire Station 12.

Concord-Padgett Regional Airport Partners with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, Becoming First Airport in North Carolina to test Remote Air Traffic Control Towers.

Desmond Miller, Solid Waste Services, Receives the 2022 Jo Atwater Award.

City Earns Statewide Honors for Exceptional Communications and Marketing from the North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) Association.

Concord Electric Systems Earns Municipal Electric Safety Award 2021 for no lost workday cases.

TJ Hurlocker, Concord Electric Systems, competes in NCAMES Lineworker Rodeo and places 2nd in the Obstacle Course and 4th in the Hurt Man Exercise Statewide.

JUNE

Eli Lilly Breaks Ground on Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Campus in Concord, a $1 Billion Investment in the Community.

City Named one of the Healthiest Employers of Greater Charlotte for 6th Consecutive Year by Charlotte Business Journal.

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OC TOB E R

Charity Langston, Engineering Department, Receives Standing Ovation Award for Outstanding Leadership and Commitment to Customer Service.

Concord Police Officer Michael Quinn Receives Sid Talbert Award.

City’s Fleet Services Department Named 100 Best Fleets in America.

City Celebrates Opening of ClearWater Ceramics Center.

Grand Opening of Afton Run Greenway, Coddle Creek Greenway.

Concord Named a Tree City USA for the 3rd Consecutive Year.

Concord Police Departments Achieves National Accreditation from CALEA, the Gold Standard in Public Safety.

AU GUS T

NASCAR Productions Facility Groundbreaking Ceremony Kicks Off

Tena Mullis, Coddle Creek Water Treatment Plant, Named North Carolina “A-Surface Operator of the Year” – the Highest Achievement for Any Operator in the State.

City Breaks Ground on New Downtown Streetscape Project.

J U LY

Camden Ramsey, Assistant Fire Marshal, Concord Fire Department, Receives NC State Firefighters’ Association Firefighter of the Year Award.

S E P T E MB E R

Construction of the New Facility, Adjacent to the Existing NASCAR R&D Center.

City’s Finance Department Receives Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

Finance Department Earns Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Financial Reporting and the Triple Crown Award.

Housing Department receives the Carolina Council of Housing Redevelopment & Codes Officials 2022 Human Service Award for their program “KIDZ HELPING KIDZ SOAR”.

Sonya Bost Receives Presidents Award from Cabarrus County Branch NAACP.

Human Resources Department Receives Best in HR for 2022 Award from Charlotte Business Journal.

NOV E MB E R

City Joins WeBuild Concord to Break Ground on Lincoln Street Townhomes.

Concord Electric Systems Earns Excellence in Communications Award from the American Public Power Association.

Water Resources Department Receives 2022 Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) Award for both the Hillgrove & Coddle Creek Water Treatment Plants.

Concord City Circular W I N T ER/S PR I NG 2 0 2 3

T

he City of Concord welcomed nearly 1,500 third-graders from across Cabarrus County into our city facilities as we relaunched our in-person Third Grade Civic Education Program following virtual presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city has been offering the civic education program to schools since 2001. The program allows students to learn about the many roles, responsibilities, processes and programs within the city. Students are introduced to local government through a week-long curriculum that combines in-class presentations with a cross-city field trip where students visit locations that are key to the city’s operations, such as our Coddle Creek Water Treatment Plant, Brown Operations Center, City Hall, and Police Department.

During school visits, staff members from the city’s Planning Department, City Manager’s Office, and Finance Department discuss topics such as: What is a city? Who runs the city? What services does the city provide? and Where does the money come from to pay for the services? During the field trip portion of the civic education program, students participate in role play exercises, tour city facilities, and attend demonstrations from more than a dozen departments.

Facilitating these field trips takes months of preparation by city staff, all of whom share

City Welcomes Back Third Grade Civic Education Program the goal that at the end, children will walk away having had fun while learning. Often times, students leave excited to share the realworld knowledge they gained during their civic education week at home and beyond.

In 2022, the hard work that city staff across all departments put into the success of the program was repaid through every smile and “thank you” that the children shared during their journey learning about the city.

Also, thanks to the hard work of staff, the program has continued to grow. During the Fall 2022 session of the civic education program, school participation nearly doubled compared to the Spring session. In the Fall, a total of 11 participating schools, 77 classrooms, and over 900 students participated in the program.

Earlier in the year, during the Spring session, a total of 37 classrooms with more than 400 third graders across 6 different elementary schools got to experience the unique education opportunity.

These experiences provide students and teachers with an awareness of municipal services and a basic understanding of the functions and powers of city government.

By doing this, the city hopes to inspire civicminded and engaged citizens for the future of Concord. If you have questions about the City of Concord’s Civic Education Program, please contact the Community Outreach Coordinator at 704-920-5298. • concordnc.gov | 11

Concord City Circular W IN T E R/SPR ING 2023

PAVING THE WAY TO NEW DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCES

A

new Streetscape project is underway in Downtown Concord. The project is many years in the making and once complete will pave the way for new outdoor dining and entertainment experiences. Residents and visitors will enjoy wider sidewalks, improved landscaping, new lighting, updated utilities, and more space for public art and gathering. The project honors our rich history while enhancing the charm of our beloved downtown.

The Mayor, City Council, city staff, business owners and community members gathered at Union and Barbrick Streets for the formal groundbreaking ceremony last June. The site for the groundbreaking was a nod to our city’s past. The intersection at Union Street, Barbrick Avenue, and Means Avenue reflects the spirit of compromise that led to Concord’s founding. In 1796, early settlers reached agreement on the location for the new Cabarrus County seat. It was John Means and Leonard Barbrick who purchased the original 26 acres that formed the first city limits. The main thoroughfare was named Union Street and the city was given the name Concord, meaning harmony, to reflect the compromise. The Streetscape groundbreaking was held where our roots were established, with the future Downtown Concord starting anew from the very place where it all began.

Today, Downtown Concord is the heart of our city and people are drawn to downtown for its history, unique boutiques, great local food and drinks, art and cultural experiences.

In fact, HGTV named Downtown Concord one of America’s most charming small-town downtowns.

Our downtown boasts more than 40 locallyowned and operated shops and restaurants and 12 | concordnc.gov

dozens of murals, including a special tribute mural to hometown, Grammy-nominated and internationally recognized folk-rock band, The Avett Brothers. Downtown is also home to the Cabarrus Arts Council, set in the beautifully renovated 1876 historic courthouse, where fine art fills four galleries on the first floor and on the second floor the 227-seat Davis Theater offers guests intimate musical experiences.

With so much to love already, we understand the apprehension towards change. However, the one constant throughout our downtown’s history is change.

Looking back over the past 120 years, we see the many changes that have taken place throughout downtown. From sidewalks with carriage steps and horse hooks, to electricpowered vehicles parked along the street today, to the ever-changing building facades. For example, some early 20th century facades were replaced with mid-century architecture and are being restored to their early 1900’s form again today. Through every change, the common defining characteristic is our desire to cultivate a thriving, vibrant downtown.

A healthy and vibrant downtown is not only good for downtown, but good for the entire city. The new Streetscape will further invigorate downtown and increase foot traffic for existing businesses while attracting new restaurants, nightlife, and retailers. The Downtown Streetscape project will also enhance opportunities for parades, festivals, and events downtown, and further establish Downtown Concord as a destination for high performance living.

Concord City Circular W I N T ER/S PR I NG 2 0 2 3

Since the groundbreaking, the first phase of construction, consisting primarily of stormwater and utility work, has been completed along Market Street SW, and work is continuing on Barbrick Avenue and Union Street. Work on Union Street will move north towards Killarney Avenue before coming back down towards the existing County Courthouse and Corban Avenue. Utility work will precede the major Streetscape work, so some phases of the project will be under construction concurrently. The project is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2024. Project highlights include: 22-foot-wide sidewalks – creating space for outdoor dining and cafes 11 Parking Spaces on Union Street, with designated loading/unloading and pedestrian drop-off zones 5 new ADA accessible parking spaces New concrete sidewalks with brick paver accents 49 new street trees New landscaping Smart light poles equipped with speakers to enhance music and sound during events Space for public art and gathering Updated utilities, including new water and stormwater lines The Streetscape project will also feature a compass design in the city’s center square at the intersection of Union Street and Cabarrus Avenue. Union Street is split north and south by Cabarrus Avenue, and Cabarrus Avenue is split west and east

by Union Street.

These two streets determine whether Concord’s streets are designated NE, NW, SE, or SW. This compass is

also the inspiration for our Streetscape logo – a nod to our rich history and the exciting future ahead.

Like any construction project, we know it can be messy and cause inconveniences. We especially understand and anticipate there will be temporary inconveniences and disruptions with the Union Street closure and when we reach the intersection at Cabarrus Avenue. We are planning ahead and doing everything we can to mitigate the impact on residents and businesses.

As we pave the way for new downtown experiences, we ask that you please mind our mess, be patient with us, and remember to continue to visit downtown and support our small businesses. Downtown Concord will remain open for business with pedestrian access to stores and restaurants through the duration of the Streetscape project.

Finally, we encourage you to visit concorddowntown.com/streetscape to learn more about the Streetscape project and follow the city on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date, including upcoming project-related closures, project milestones, and timelines. •

concordnc.gov | 13

Concord City Circular W IN T E R/SPR ING 2023

Community Members Complete 21st Concord 101 Congratulations to the Concord 101, Class of 2022 graduates!

The Concord 101 program gives citizens a unique opportunity to directly engage with members of City Council and city leaders. During the 14-week program, participants receive a firsthand look at what it takes to run city services. They also visit a variety of city facilities such as City Hall, Police Headquarters, the fire department, water treatment plant, Rider Transit Center, Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, Traffic Management Center, and the Brown Operations Center. The course also includes special sessions with community partners focused on Concord’s history, economic development, and tourism.

Concord 101 alumni are a diverse representation of the community, with many now serving in leadership roles in their neighborhoods or on city boards and commissions.

Council Members Jennifer P. Hubbard, John Sweat, Jr., Andy Langford, and Betty Stocks are graduates of the program.

The next Concord 101 class will be offered in Fall 2023.

Visit concordnc.gov/Concord101 to learn more about the program.

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2022 GRADUATES (in alphabetical order):

Luisa Balderrama

James Hays

Javier Balderrama

Scott Holzworth

Jose Balderrama

Roland Jordan

Yvonne Bopp

Brian Kugler

Nakia Campbell

Timothy Lithgow

Leola Davis

Clay Maguire

Nathaniel Dobbs

Mike Miller

Kimberly Ferebee

Clay Moye

James Firth

Robert Neal, Sr.

Caroline Fisher

Matthew Pommell

Michael Fisher

Deepa Prabhakar

Diane Gatherum

Garrett Price

James Gatherum

Barbara Propst

Savannah Glover

Michelle Ridgley

Pamela L. Goodlette-Rabb

Arwen Rowland

Marie Hamelin

James Snell

Christopher Harris

Sowmyasri Thalanki

Karen Harris

James Daniel Tirotta

Cynthia Hayes

Evelyn Witting

Jamie Sanderbeck

Concord City Circular W I N T ER/S PR I NG 2 0 2 3

Quarterly High Performers The following members of Team Concord were recognized for going above and beyond in providing excellent customer service or for taking actions that best embody one of more of the city’s 9 Principles of Excellent Service.

The High Performers were selected from among the High Five nominations received from October-December 2022.

Buildings & Grounds.....................................................Devin Edwards

Concern for the Individual • Customer Focus Fair and Equitable Service • Professional Service Effective Communication • Taking Ownership Timeliness • Teamwork • Great Service Recovery

High Five recognizes coworkers who make a difference.

Each day City of Concord coworkers are focused on providing the services needed to keep our community moving forward. We believe that coworkers who are delivering excellent service deserve timely and effective recognition by their team members, managers, and the community. We invite you to help us recognize one or more of our coworkers who have provided excellent service.

These nine principles help us deliver a high level of quality services.

There are three ways to submit your recognitions:

................................................................................. Chris McDonald .......................................................................................Zack Johnson ...................................................................................Dylan Pettigrew ......................................................................................... Tim Canup ........................................................................................ Mike Helms ......................................................................................Travis Wilmot ........................................................................................ Bryson Gray Communications............................................................Xavier Medina Electric..................................................................................Jacob Weiss* Engineering................................................................. Charity Langston Finance...................................................................................April Clark .................................................................................. Carson Carroll* ...................................................................................... Ryan LeClear Fire.......................................................................... Gilberto Meza-Corral Human Resources......................................................... Latoya Peterson ........................................................................................ Jesse Martin Transportation...............................................................Adam Williams *Not Pictured

We believe members of Team Concord who provide excellent service deserve recognition by their team members, managers, and the community. Our employees are the city’s most valuable asset and each play a critical role in contributing to the attainment of the city’s goals and mission. Thank you, Team Concord! •

• Call 704-920-6400 to submit your acknowledgment by phone.

• Complete the online form at concordnc.gov/high5 • Complete a paper form found one of the following public facilities: City Hall; Academy Recreation Center; Brown Operations Center; Concord Regional Airport; Fire Stations 3, 7, 8, and 9; Housing Department Office; Police Headquarters; Rider Transit Center.

FROM THE MAYOR continued from page 3 These new parks and improvements will be in many areas of our city, including two new parks in the northwest section of the city — the J.E. “Jim” Ramseur Park and the Popular Tent Trailhead Park. For more details on all of the proposed parks and renovation projects being planned visit

concordbonds.com. In the coming months, the plans for the park projects will continue to be developed and we will keep this website updated with those plans, including timelines for the projects.

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Concord City Circular W IN T E R/SPR ING 2023

City of Concord Important Phone Numbers Fire, Police, Medical Emergencies ............................... 911 Customer Care Center .................................. 704-920-5555

MANAGER'S NOTES continued from page 3 was a former city office building sold to RCG SE, LLC who worked closely with the city to convert the basement to 10 office spaces (with a shared conference room), specifically targeting local non-profits to fill those offices. This has been successful. The remaining building will be customized retail and office space further energizing our downtown.

The County will complete the new courthouse project this spring and open up the former Means Avenue plaza allowing creative programming to occur. The former P.M. Morris Building is undergoing a major renovation and will result in upper level residential units and prime commercial real estate on the ground level. Cabarrus Tavern is planned for 10 Cabarrus Avenue West, this will be a taproom and restaurant.

If you have not visited the site recently, I encourage you to go to www.concorddowntown.com to get an update on the various projects underway. The website is updated frequently so you can stay up-to-date on all the latest taking shape downtown. The future is bright and exciting in Concord! Continue to visit Downtown Concord during the construction as the businesses are open and ready to serve you. As always, feel free to reach out with ways Team Concord can enhance our customer service to you. •

Concord Mobile Care

You can report pot holes, street light malfunctions, and many other nonemergency issues to the City using your smartphone.

Visit concordnc.gov to learn about and download the Concord Mobile Care app for your android or iOS device, or access the web-version on any other device, including PC and laptop computers.

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Call the Customer Care Center for service requests and inquiries about any of the following: • Electric Outages/Services • Water/Sewer Emergencies • Dead Animal Pick-up • Drinking Water Inquiries • Garbage/Bulk Pick-up/Recycling • Utility Bills • Street/Traffic Light Issues • Right-of-Way Issues • Storm Water/Storm Drain/Flooding Problems • Yard Waste/Leaf Collection • Building Material Disposal • Bulk Metal Collection • Old Tire Collection • Vacant Lot Cleaning/Mowing You can also fax our Customer Care team at ......704-920-6953

The primary phone numbers for the various City departments are: Main Switchboard ................................................704-920-5200 Buildings & Grounds ...........................................704-920-5380 Cabarrus County Tax Office .................................704-920-2119 City Clerk .............................................................704-920-5205 City Manager .......................................................704-920-5215 Communications ..................................................704-920-5580 Concord Regional Airport ...................................704-920-5900 Electric Systems ...................................................704-920-5320 Engineering .........................................................704-920-5425 Finance ................................................................704-920-5220 Fire Department Administration ..........................704-920-5516 Fleet Services.......................................................704-920-5430 Housing................................................................704-920-6100 Human Resources ................................................704-920-5100 Meter Reading .....................................................704-920-5219 Parks & Recreation ...............................................704-920-5600 Planning & Neighborhood Development ...........704-920-5152 Police (non-emergency) .......................................704-920-5000 Public Affairs ........................................................704-920-5210 Purchasing ...........................................................704-920-5440 Rider Transit .........................................................704-920-7433 Risk Management.................................................704-920-5111 Rocky River Golf Club ..........................................704-455-1200 Solid Waste ..........................................................704-920-5361 TTY/North Carolina Relay .................................................... 711 Transportation .....................................................704-920-6371 Water Resources ..................................................704-920-5342 Zoning/Permits ....................................................704-920-5152

concordnc.gov

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City Of Concord Parks And Recreation Implements A New Recreation Management Solution This New Software Offers Customers Easier Access To Parks And Rec Activities And Registration The City of Concord Parks and Recreation has partnered with CivicPlus to implement its parks and recreation management software solution. The CivicRec cloud-based recreation management solution will allow residents greater visibility into offered parks and recreation department activities, classes, sports, and youth leagues with more convenient online registration and payment options. It will also allow residents to access community facilities, such as shelters, and meeting rooms, conveniently online.

The software is designed to be intuitive to navigate and easy for residents to use. In addition, it is mobile-friendly, allowing users to search for community activities and events, register, and remit payment even from a smartphone or tablet.

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concordparksandrec.org • 704.920.5600 • 3

CLEARWATER PROJECTS New Ceramics Center

Anticipated Metal Sculpture Area (former Clearwell/“bunker”) Anticipated Sound Recording studio, practice rooms and classroom (lower level/ Main Building) Anticipated upper Events Deck, outside (above “bunker”) Parks design addressing vacant field across the stream, at Cedar Street and Kerr Street for Skate Park, Pump Track CW field to have Sculpture Park with small amphitheater Community Building (vacant building up hill) 704.920.6600 223 Crowell Drive NW | Concord NC 28025 clearwatermgr@gmail.com

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2023

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P.O. Box 308 Concord, NC 28026

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