December 2019 - Kannapolis Matters

Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway Now Underway

Calendar of Events

DECEMBER 2019

Construction of the first phase of the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway is underway. This first phase is 2.5 miles and will run along a sewer easement from Orphanage Road to Rogers Lake Road. The greenway will be 10 feet wide and paved. It is expected to be completed in 2020.

DECEMBER

The public will be able to access the greenway at three locations: Oakwood Avenue (across from the Lantern Green and Stonewyck neighborhood), Vietnam Veterans Park and Rogers Lake Road.

Vehicle parking will only be available at Vietnam Veterans Park. The neighborhoods of Newman Manor, Windsor and Kellswater Bridge will be able to easily access the greenway.

Future phases include Rogers Lake Road to N.C. 3 (Safrit Park) and from N.C. 3 to Bakers Creek Greenway. When additional phases of the greenway are finished, the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway will be a total of 7.5 miles and will cross under I-85.

This greenway is also a key component of the Carolina Thread Trail, a 15-county initiative to provide greenway connectivity to key attractions, destinations and population centers in the Charlotte region.

Greenways have been the most requested recreational amenity for residents of Kannapolis when surveyed for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

The greenway will cost $4.9 million to construct.

The City received a federal grant for $3.1 million and $551,230 from the developers of Kellswater, which will cover most of the costs, leaving the City’s contribution to the project at $1.2 million.

THE CITY OF KANNAPOLIS 401 Laureate Way | Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4300 www.kannapolisnc.gov

Follow the City on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofkannapolis), Instagram @KannapolisNC, LinkedIn (linkedin. com/company/cityofkanapolis), Nextdoor (nextdoor.com/Kannapolisnc.gov), Snapchat @KannapolisNC and Twitter @Kannapolis for regular updates and more ideas for fun.

1-30

Winterland Express and Celebration of Lights 6 p.m. | Village Park (Closed December 24-25)

7

Frostbite 5K | 10 a.m.

Downtown Kannapolis

7-8 Bonsai Expo

5 p.m. | 150 Research Campus Dr.,

Downtown Kannapolis 14

Making a Difference in the Carver Community

Christmas Parade | 6 p.m.

Downtown Kannapolis More at kannapolisnc.gov

I

n 2008, the City of Kannapolis created a Strategic Plan for the Carver Community, which included Nighttown, Newtown, Happy Hollow, Rutledgetown and James Street. The goal of the strategic plan was to increase home ownership, improve the neighborhood’s image, improve housing stock and stimulate private sector investment. The Carver community is a historic African American mill neighborhood that was established in the 1930s. It has been designated as an eligible “black section” under the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office.

By 2008 there were roughly 200 homes in the Carver Community, and 75 percent were rental properties or dilapidated and vacant.

Since then the City of Kannapolis has partnered with Prosperity Unlimited, Habitat for Humanity and Cooperative Christian Ministries to build 11 new homes and renovate 15 others. As part of the improvements, the City has provided urgent repairs for six existing homes (emergency roofs, handicap ramp, heating system, etc.).

605 Foster Street: A Ha

bitat for Humanity hou

“Ten years has gone by quickly and we have made progress in this neighborhood. Home ownership has improved by roughly five percent and crime has decreased by 25 percent,” said Sherry Gordon, Community Development Program Administrator. “Our police department plays a proactive role in participating in neighborhood events and has developed relationships with many of the people who live in the Carver neighborhood.”

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Continued from page 1

In addition to the housing improvements, Wood Avenue – one of the primary accesses into the neighborhood – was paved, sidewalks added and the street extended to Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, which has improved accessibility for residents. And, thanks to a grant from the Cabarrus County Cooperative Extension, the Carver Community Garden was installed.

After asking Ethel Caldwell, a Carver resident of 44 years, what she thought the biggest improvement was over the last 10 years, she said, “The paving, addition of sidewalks and extension of Wood Avenue was great because it made it so much easier for me to get home.”

Don’t Miss Kannapolis Christmas Events A Kannapolis Christmas officially kicked off at Village Park with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 23.

The Winterland Express train runs every evening until December 30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 6-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, and from 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Ride the train through the park, enjoy more than 250,000 Christmas lights, make s’mores and more.

Admission to the park and viewing of the lights are free; tickets to ride the train and carousel are $2 per person, per ride. The park is located at 700 West C Street in Kannapolis.

Again this year, kids of all ages will be able to visit Santa in his studio each night. The park will also feature performances from our very own Kannapolis Singing Bears, who will entertain your family with a Christmas Carol performance.

A native of Cabarrus and Rowan counties, Terry always wanted to be a police officer.

“As a child we would watch television shows and movies like Adam 12, and I wanted to be just like those police officers.

I wanted the excitement of the job and to make a difference in my community,” he recently said.

Terry was hired in 1984 at the age of 21. He was given a hand-me-down 38 revolver with wooden screws, a hand-me-down

For more information about Carver and Kannapolis housing programs, please contact Sherry Gordon at sgordon@ kannapolisnc.gov or 704-920-4332.

Loose Leaf Collection is in full swing!

Please help us prevent flooding by not placing leaves in ditches or over storm drains. Find your collection schedule at kannapolisnc.gov/looseleaf.

Kannapolis Deputy Police Chief Terry Clanton has retired after working for the Kannapolis Police Department for 36 years. He will continue his career in law enforcement as the Director of Law Enforcement Training at Guilford Technical Community College.

His parents wanted him to be a teacher, but after a year in college he convinced them that law enforcement was the right choice for him. They were supportive after that. “My parents and my wife, Eva, of 33 years, are the reason I have been able to have the freedom of a career in policing.”

“I love living in the Carver Community because I am able to build great relationships with my neighbors. My father grew up here, my grandparents lived here, and I moved away and came back to this community. My history is here, and it’s been great to watch the City partner with the community to preserve that history,” said Pam Smith, a resident for more than 10 years.

Monthly Environmental Tip

Deputy Police Chief Terry Clanton Retires uniform and a used Mercury Zephyr. At that time the Kannapolis Police Department was part of the Cabarrus County Sherriff’s Department because the City was not incorporated yet.

“I am proud of our department. We are a team and a family. When I first started, there were 48 people in the department. Now we have over 100. We are more diverse with our officers coming from Things have changed different backgrounds since then. The City was and cultures – just like incorporated and the our growing population.

Terry Clanton Kannapolis Police We are well trained with Department became a stand-alone the best equipment a department can organization. Policies and procedures have. We are an accredited professional were put in place, and equipment and department that demands excellence technology instituted and maintained to and professionalism from our officers. help police officers do their jobs better.

Although the department and the City have grown, the mindset of the Over the years Terry has worked in patrol, department is the same. We are here to investigations, staff services and support help people. Our motivation is to make a services as he was promoted up the ranks. difference in our community. I will miss He says his favorite time was spent in the our team and family here but I am excited investigations unit. “I was serving in a for my new position and the fact that I will supervisory role, but I was also involved in still be in the law enforcement field,” Terry everything happening with our cases and stated. helping the people who were involved in the incidents,” he said.

Heat Safety Tips The Atlantic Coast S Gaugers group returns this year with its popular model trains on display. On various nights local community groups and musicians will perform your favorite Christmas songs. Children will also have an opportunity to create ornaments and engage in the children’s zone.

The 81st Annual Kannapolis Christmas Parade, presented by Cannon Pharmacy, begins at 6 p.m., December 14. This special nighttime parade travels through the streets of downtown Kannapolis and usually lasts until 7:30 p.m.

Please visit www.kannapolisnc.gov/christmas for a complete schedule of events.

Keep these tips in mind while staying warm in the cold weather: • Space heaters need three feet in all directions. Avoid getting them too close to furniture and decorations, and turn them off when you leave. It is better to plug your space heater into a wall outlet instead of using an extension cord.

• Outdoor grills are meant for outdoor cooking only. They are not to be used indoors for cooking and/or warmth.

• When using the stove to cook, remain in the kitchen until you are finished cooking.

Continued from page 1

In addition to the housing improvements, Wood Avenue – one of the primary accesses into the neighborhood – was paved, sidewalks added and the street extended to Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, which has improved accessibility for residents. And, thanks to a grant from the Cabarrus County Cooperative Extension, the Carver Community Garden was installed.

After asking Ethel Caldwell, a Carver resident of 44 years, what she thought the biggest improvement was over the last 10 years, she said, “The paving, addition of sidewalks and extension of Wood Avenue was great because it made it so much easier for me to get home.”

Don’t Miss Kannapolis Christmas Events A Kannapolis Christmas officially kicked off at Village Park with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 23.

The Winterland Express train runs every evening until December 30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 6-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, and from 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Ride the train through the park, enjoy more than 250,000 Christmas lights, make s’mores and more.

Admission to the park and viewing of the lights are free; tickets to ride the train and carousel are $2 per person, per ride. The park is located at 700 West C Street in Kannapolis.

Again this year, kids of all ages will be able to visit Santa in his studio each night. The park will also feature performances from our very own Kannapolis Singing Bears, who will entertain your family with a Christmas Carol performance.

A native of Cabarrus and Rowan counties, Terry always wanted to be a police officer.

“As a child we would watch television shows and movies like Adam 12, and I wanted to be just like those police officers.

I wanted the excitement of the job and to make a difference in my community,” he recently said.

Terry was hired in 1984 at the age of 21. He was given a hand-me-down 38 revolver with wooden screws, a hand-me-down

For more information about Carver and Kannapolis housing programs, please contact Sherry Gordon at sgordon@ kannapolisnc.gov or 704-920-4332.

Loose Leaf Collection is in full swing!

Please help us prevent flooding by not placing leaves in ditches or over storm drains. Find your collection schedule at kannapolisnc.gov/looseleaf.

Kannapolis Deputy Police Chief Terry Clanton has retired after working for the Kannapolis Police Department for 36 years. He will continue his career in law enforcement as the Director of Law Enforcement Training at Guilford Technical Community College.

His parents wanted him to be a teacher, but after a year in college he convinced them that law enforcement was the right choice for him. They were supportive after that. “My parents and my wife, Eva, of 33 years, are the reason I have been able to have the freedom of a career in policing.”

“I love living in the Carver Community because I am able to build great relationships with my neighbors. My father grew up here, my grandparents lived here, and I moved away and came back to this community. My history is here, and it’s been great to watch the City partner with the community to preserve that history,” said Pam Smith, a resident for more than 10 years.

Monthly Environmental Tip

Deputy Police Chief Terry Clanton Retires uniform and a used Mercury Zephyr. At that time the Kannapolis Police Department was part of the Cabarrus County Sherriff’s Department because the City was not incorporated yet.

“I am proud of our department. We are a team and a family. When I first started, there were 48 people in the department. Now we have over 100. We are more diverse with our officers coming from Things have changed different backgrounds since then. The City was and cultures – just like incorporated and the our growing population.

Terry Clanton Kannapolis Police We are well trained with Department became a stand-alone the best equipment a department can organization. Policies and procedures have. We are an accredited professional were put in place, and equipment and department that demands excellence technology instituted and maintained to and professionalism from our officers. help police officers do their jobs better.

Although the department and the City have grown, the mindset of the Over the years Terry has worked in patrol, department is the same. We are here to investigations, staff services and support help people. Our motivation is to make a services as he was promoted up the ranks. difference in our community. I will miss He says his favorite time was spent in the our team and family here but I am excited investigations unit. “I was serving in a for my new position and the fact that I will supervisory role, but I was also involved in still be in the law enforcement field,” Terry everything happening with our cases and stated. helping the people who were involved in the incidents,” he said.

Heat Safety Tips The Atlantic Coast S Gaugers group returns this year with its popular model trains on display. On various nights local community groups and musicians will perform your favorite Christmas songs. Children will also have an opportunity to create ornaments and engage in the children’s zone.

The 81st Annual Kannapolis Christmas Parade, presented by Cannon Pharmacy, begins at 6 p.m., December 14. This special nighttime parade travels through the streets of downtown Kannapolis and usually lasts until 7:30 p.m.

Please visit www.kannapolisnc.gov/christmas for a complete schedule of events.

Keep these tips in mind while staying warm in the cold weather: • Space heaters need three feet in all directions. Avoid getting them too close to furniture and decorations, and turn them off when you leave. It is better to plug your space heater into a wall outlet instead of using an extension cord.

• Outdoor grills are meant for outdoor cooking only. They are not to be used indoors for cooking and/or warmth.

• When using the stove to cook, remain in the kitchen until you are finished cooking.

Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway Now Underway

Calendar of Events

DECEMBER 2019

Construction of the first phase of the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway is underway. This first phase is 2.5 miles and will run along a sewer easement from Orphanage Road to Rogers Lake Road. The greenway will be 10 feet wide and paved. It is expected to be completed in 2020.

DECEMBER

The public will be able to access the greenway at three locations: Oakwood Avenue (across from the Lantern Green and Stonewyck neighborhood), Vietnam Veterans Park and Rogers Lake Road.

Vehicle parking will only be available at Vietnam Veterans Park. The neighborhoods of Newman Manor, Windsor and Kellswater Bridge will be able to easily access the greenway.

Future phases include Rogers Lake Road to N.C. 3 (Safrit Park) and from N.C. 3 to Bakers Creek Greenway. When additional phases of the greenway are finished, the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway will be a total of 7.5 miles and will cross under I-85.

This greenway is also a key component of the Carolina Thread Trail, a 15-county initiative to provide greenway connectivity to key attractions, destinations and population centers in the Charlotte region.

Greenways have been the most requested recreational amenity for residents of Kannapolis when surveyed for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

The greenway will cost $4.9 million to construct.

The City received a federal grant for $3.1 million and $551,230 from the developers of Kellswater, which will cover most of the costs, leaving the City’s contribution to the project at $1.2 million.

THE CITY OF KANNAPOLIS 401 Laureate Way | Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4300 www.kannapolisnc.gov

Follow the City on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofkannapolis), Instagram @KannapolisNC, LinkedIn (linkedin. com/company/cityofkanapolis), Nextdoor (nextdoor.com/Kannapolisnc.gov), Snapchat @KannapolisNC and Twitter @Kannapolis for regular updates and more ideas for fun.

1-30

Winterland Express and Celebration of Lights 6 p.m. | Village Park (Closed December 24-25)

7

Frostbite 5K | 10 a.m.

Downtown Kannapolis

7-8 Bonsai Expo

5 p.m. | 150 Research Campus Dr.,

Downtown Kannapolis 14

Making a Difference in the Carver Community

Christmas Parade | 6 p.m.

Downtown Kannapolis More at kannapolisnc.gov

I

n 2008, the City of Kannapolis created a Strategic Plan for the Carver Community, which included Nighttown, Newtown, Happy Hollow, Rutledgetown and James Street. The goal of the strategic plan was to increase home ownership, improve the neighborhood’s image, improve housing stock and stimulate private sector investment. The Carver community is a historic African American mill neighborhood that was established in the 1930s. It has been designated as an eligible “black section” under the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office.

By 2008 there were roughly 200 homes in the Carver Community, and 75 percent were rental properties or dilapidated and vacant.

Since then the City of Kannapolis has partnered with Prosperity Unlimited, Habitat for Humanity and Cooperative Christian Ministries to build 11 new homes and renovate 15 others. As part of the improvements, the City has provided urgent repairs for six existing homes (emergency roofs, handicap ramp, heating system, etc.).

605 Foster Street: A Ha

bitat for Humanity hou

“Ten years has gone by quickly and we have made progress in this neighborhood. Home ownership has improved by roughly five percent and crime has decreased by 25 percent,” said Sherry Gordon, Community Development Program Administrator. “Our police department plays a proactive role in participating in neighborhood events and has developed relationships with many of the people who live in the Carver neighborhood.”

Continued on page 2

se