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Stay up-to-date on all town news and information as well as special events by following the Town of Matthews on social media. We’re on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Nextdoor. Scan the QR or visit: www.matthewsnc.gov, click “Communications” under the Departments tab.
matthewsnc.gov
Board of Commissioners
The 2023-2025 Board of Commissioners was sworn into office on December 11, 2023. This Board will serve for two years.
Town Board meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of every month at 7:00 pm at Matthews Town Hall (232 Matthews Station Street). The meetings are streamed live on YouTube. Visit www.matthewsnc.gov for more information.
Gina Hoover Mayor Pro Tem ghoover@matthewsnc.gov
Renee Garner rgarner@matthewsnc.gov
Ken McCool kmccool@matthewsnc.gov
Mark Tofano mtofano@matthewsnc.gov
Leon Threatt lthreatt@matthewsnc.gov
John Urban jurban@matthewsnc.gov
From the Mayor: Matthews Continues to Fight for Silver Line East Light Rail
John Higdon jhigdon@matthewsnc.gov
For decades, Matthews has envisioned light rail as the key to connecting our community and supporting our growth. A one-cent sales tax increase for Mecklenburg County was supposed to deliver regional transit solutions, including light rail to our town. Instead, decisions by others replaced these plans with either Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or a shortened Silver Line that would stop miles away from the town of Matthews. In all cases, the proposed sales tax legislation for Mecklenburg County underfunds the transit plan for the region and prevents Matthews from benefitting from the transformative potential of light rail.
Some have pointed to the benefits of road improvement funding and expanded bus service included in the new funding model, but the trade-offs of losing light rail and the ultimate cost to taxpayers make it a bad deal for Matthews.
Our residents deserve better and I, along with the majority of the Board of Commissioners, will remain steadfast in advocating for Silver Line East to be funded as a light rail project all the way to Matthews. This fight has been long and challenging, but it’s one we must continue—it’s a battle worth winning for the future of Matthews.
Matthews Partners with Discovery Place Kids to Bring New Museum to Town
In February 2025, the Town of Matthews entered into a development and management agreement with Discovery Place to open a new branch of Discovery Place Kids in Matthews. Under the terms of the agreement, the Town will provide building space, which is expected to be available within the next five years, and Discovery Place will be responsible for upfitting and operating the museum once the space is ready.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Matthews, and we couldn’t be more excited about this partnership,” said Mayor John Higdon. “Discovery Place Kids is renowned for its engaging experiences that are both fun and educational for children and their families. While the museum opening is still a few years away, we are excited to welcome them to Matthews and look forward to the many ways they will enrich our community.”
The building space provided by the Town will be funded through the Town’s Tourism Fund. The exact location has not yet been determined, but the Town expects to finalize the details in the coming months and will make additional announcements as they become available.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Matthews, and we couldn’t be more excited about the partnership.”
Mayor John Higdon
About Discovery Place: Discovery Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the leading hub for science learning in the Carolinas dedicated to the exchange of ideas, scientific exploration and creative expression to stimulate innovative problem-solving and learning. Discovery Place’s network includes four distinct museum experiences—Discovery Place Science, Charlotte Museum of Nature (opening in 2026), Discovery Place KidsHuntersville and Discovery Place Kids-Rockingham. For more information about Discovery Place, visit discoveryplace. org.
Matthews Takes Stand to Protect Free Downtown Parking
One of the bigger local stories of 2024 occurred this past fall after CSX Transportation, the railroad company that operates the rail line through Matthews, shared plans to eliminate 196 free parking spaces located near their railroad tracks and lease them to a private company that would charge residents and visitors for parking.
CSX told the Town our only alternative was to agree to a new lease that required a 16,000% increase over the current annual rate, would include an additional 3% annual increase on top of the new rate, and could be canceled by CSX at any time, and for any reason, with a mere 30 days notice—meaning they could come in and make further demands at their pleasure.
To say the Town was shocked by these demands was an understatement. We’d never had any issues with the existing lease that covered some of the parking spaces dating back to 1991. Further, we disagreed that the parking spaces located along public streets should even be subject to these discussions. CSX also disregarded the fact that over a number of years, without any objection from CSX, the Town invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the construction, maintenance, and beautification of these vital free parking areas.
Given all this, the Town Board refused to cave and CSX’s demands were rejected.
At the same time, the Town fully understood how important it was to retain these free parking spaces for our local business community and the thousands of people who visit our downtown. Immediate steps were taken to challenge CSX’s plans, including the very public push to ensure our community knew what was happening and why.
The Town took additional action to ensure ample free parking remained available in the downtown area regardless of how the situation ultimately resolved. This included activating the lot on East Charles Street behind White Duck Taco, which added 48 parking spaces. North Freemont Street was also re-striped to create 35 new spaces. Multiple other parking agreements between the Town and private parking lot owners are on standby in case more free evening and weekend parking is still needed.
The Town then offered to engage in further dialog with CSX to see if they would like to reconsider their position. CSX agreed and those conversations remain ongoing.
As conversations continue, the Town’s stance remains unchanged: We believe all 196 parking spaces in question must remain free and available for public use and any lease terms must be a prudent use of taxpayer funds. We are cautiously optimistic that a mutually agreeable outcome will be found.
However it turns out, standing up for our community was—and is—the right thing to do and we are committed to seeing this through. As that work continues, the public is encouraged to continue to visit our downtown and to use these parking spaces freely and often.
To continue to follow the most up-to-date information, please visit www.matthewsnc.gov/parking.
Vision Zero: A Safer Future for Matthews
Imagine a world where no one loses their life or suffers a severe injury simply trying to get where they’re going. That’s the bold vision driving the Town of Matthews’ commitment to Vision Zero—a global initiative to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while ensuring mobility is safe, equitable, and accessible for everyone. By recognizing that human mistakes are inevitable, Vision Zero focuses on redesigning road systems and policies to turn potential tragedies into survivable incidents.
In August, Matthews officially committed to this initiative by directing the formation of a staff working group tasked with developing a Vision Zero Action Plan. This plan, set for adoption in 2025, outlines steps to achieve the ambitious goal of zero traffic-related deaths or serious injuries by 2034.
As Matthews works toward this goal, the initiative underscores a broader commitment: creating a community where everyone, regardless of how they travel, can move about safely. Together, we can ensure safer streets and a better quality of life for all residents.
In October, the Board of Commissioners approved a new Traffic Calming Policy to streamline the process for residents and business owners to initiate speeding and safety solutions in Matthews. The new policy enables staff to act quickly when infrastructure improvements are identified to address known speeding and safety concerns —essentially cutting the ‘red tape’ and making the process easier for everyone. To read the new policy, visit www.matthewsnc. gov/engineering and click on “Traffic Calming Policy.”
For more information on Vision Zero and updates on the Town’s progress, and to take the Vision Zero pledge, visit www.matthewsnc. gov/visionzero.
Town Declines NCDOT’s East John Street
Widening Project, Eyes Alternative Solutions
The Matthews Board of Commissioners has taken a definitive stance on the proposed NCDOT East John Street widening project, recently voting to request its removal from the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The $25 million project proposed widening the road to four lanes from Greylock Ridge Road through downtown Matthews. After years of community feedback and technical analysis, the Board determined the plan does not align with the Town’s vision of a walkable, bikeable, and vibrant downtown.
The decision stems from extensive public opposition to a four-lane design and the Town’s own studies showing a threelane road would suffice. Matthews has long advocated for a more context-sensitive solution, prioritizing pedestrian safety and preserving the historic downtown.
With this decision, Matthews reaffirms its commitment to prioritizing safety, mobility, and its residents’ vision for the town. Moving forward, the Town will work with NCDOT and other partners to seek federal and/or state grant funding and develop a feasible plan for East John Street that balances traffic needs while preserving the downtown’s charm.
For more information about this and other transportation projects, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/roadprojects.
2024: Year in Review
January
Launch of John Street Pedestrian and Bicycle Study
February
Resident Survey Report Released
April
Construction begins on Fire Station 3 (see back page for more information)
June
The BOC approves ‘24-’25 budget with no tax rate or fee increase
Matthews is awarded $1 million in matching federal Community Project Funding for affordable housing
S&P Global Ratings upgrades the Town’s credit from AA+ to AAA, the highest credit rating available
Town Attorney Charlie Buckley retires after 46 years of distinguished service
August
The BOC unanimously approves a resolution in opposition to the proposed sales tax legislation for Mecklenburg County as it underfunds the approved transit plan for the region including bringing Silver Line East light rail to Matthews
The Matthews Police Department holds another successful Matthews Gives Back to Schools event - 173 backpacks filled with supplies are given to students in need at the annual celebration held at the Matthews Sportsplex
October
Members of the Matthews Police Department, Matthews Public Works and the Town’s Finance Director travel to Western North Carolina to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene
December
The BOC takes a stand against a four-lane E. John Street, votes to request removal of the NCDOT project from the State Transportation Improvement Program (see article on page 5)
The holiday season begins as the Winter Wonderlights event is held in Stumptown Park, followed by a Menorah Lighting and Kwanzaa Celebration later in the month
matthewsnc.gov
March
Town begins paving project to resurface several streets throughout Matthews
May
The Board of Commissioners (BOC) unanimously adopts the Envision Matthews Comprehensive Plan, a culmination of nearly a year and a half of dedicated work and valuable public input
July
Daniel E. Peterson with Parker Poe is named Town Attorney Matthews celebrates the 4th of July with a two-day event featuring fireworks at the Sportsplex and a concert at Stumptown Park
Matthews Fire & EMS Department expands its career staff by 50 percent as 14 new members join the department in preparation for the opening of Fire Station 3
September
Matthews Alive brings thousands of visitors to town for the iconic four-day event
November
The BOC adopts the John Street Pedestrian and Bicycle Study
Parks & Recreation Game Plan: A Vision For the Future
The Game Plan for the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Department was adopted by the Board of Commissioners in February 2025. This visionary plan has been shaped by input from residents, state and national standards, and industry trends. With over 200 hours of public engagement so far, this process ensures the Game Plan reflects the needs of everyone who lives, works, and plays in Matthews.
Exciting recommendations include expanding trails and greenways, creating more neighborhood parks, and adding more vibrant outdoor recreation spaces. The Game Plan will serve as a roadmap to help the department bring these ideas to life and continue making Matthews an incredible place to call home.
More details can be found at www.matthewsfun. com or contact Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Department Director Corey King (cking@matthewsnc. gov) for more information.
Moving Forward with Voter-Approved Parks Bond Projects
Following the approval of the 2022 Parks and Recreation and Transportation Bond Referendum, the Board of Commissioners is planning to move forward with an $11 million bond issuance to fund the long-planned PurserHulsey Park design and construction, as well as other park improvements.
Preliminary plans for the 93-acre Purser-Hulsey Park include an all-abilities playground, nature trails, picnic shelters, a pond with a pier, an amphitheater, a splash pad, a clubhouse, and more.
Several other parks across Matthews will receive much-needed upgrades. Plans include adding restrooms to Windsor and Rice Parks, and new playground equipment for Squirrel Lake Park and Sardis Road Park.
“This is an exciting milestone for our community,” said Mayor Higdon. “The complete build-out of Purser-Hulsey Park is something our residents have eagerly anticipated for years, and I am very pleased to see it becoming a reality. Combined with upgrades to our existing parks, these projects will provide wonderful spaces for residents to enjoy for generations.”
This bond issuance will have a 1.35-cent impact on the property tax rate beginning in 2025, which is estimated to be an under $5 monthly increase for the majority of homeowners in Matthews. The entire process, from design to construction, is expected to take several years.
The additional $3 million in other park projects and $21 million in transportation projects approved by voters as part of the bond referendum in 2022 have yet to be issued. Visit www.matthewsnc.gov/bonds for the latest information.
The Town of Matthews is excited to announce that the construction of Fire Station 3 is nearing completion. The new 12,771-square-foot facility located at 3017 Matthews Mint Hill Road represents a significant investment in public safety and community preparedness.
Town’s Commitment to Transparency Leads to New, Improved Solutions
The Town of Matthews remains committed to fostering an open, transparent, and accessible government. Three key initiatives recently introduced demonstrate the town’s proactive approach to transparency:
• NextRequest Public Record Software: Streamlines public record requests via an online portal, improving coordination and efficiency.
• Financial Transparency Dashboard: Allows residents to explore real-time revenue and expenditure data.
• Open Data Portal: Provides easy access to up-todate data through a centralized platform.
For more information, visit the Transparency Portal on the Town website: www.matthewsnc.gov/transparency.
Designed with classic aesthetics and built using efficient construction methods, Fire Station 3 sets a new standard for functionality and design. The station will bring Matthews Fire & EMS services closer to residents in this area, increasing the percentage of residents living within 2.5 miles of fire/EMS resources from the current 68% to 87%. The station will also provide firefighters with the tools they need to respond effectively to emergencies.
In preparation for the opening of Fire Station 3, the department expanded its career staff by 50 percent earlier this year. Fourteen new members joined the department and three new Battalion Chiefs were appointed.
Station 3 was built debt-free predominantly using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARPA-CLFRF), and the Fiscal year 2025 tax rate factored in the costs of staffing and operating the station.
An open house for the community is planned for later this spring. Stay tuned for more updates as Fire Station 3 prepares to open its doors and serve the community with pride. To learn more, visit www.matthewsnc.gov/fire.
