Banner-News 2-21-19

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Gaston County’s

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Thursday, February 21, 2019

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Volume 85 • Issue 8

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News from a neighbor!

• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Mt. Holly holds annual Black History Forum By Alan Hodge alan@cfmedia.info

Mt. Holly’s annual Black History Forum took place last Sunday at 3pm in the Municipal Center Grand Hall. It was the 16th year that the gathering has taken place. The Black History Forum was started back in 2003 when John Hope and a few dozen like-minded folks got together in the archives room of the old city hall to discuss ways that Mt. Holly could honor its African-American heritage. Since that time, the

gathering has grown steadily and each year attracts a several hundred attendees. Black History Forum leader Curtis Alexander told the crowd- “This shows how much we care about each other,” he said. “It shows we take care of each other and love one another.” This year’s event was themed “The Journey” and examined the path that black history has taken in our area and Mt. Holly in particular. The highlight of the event was a one-act play entitled

“Sweet Jenn: A Living Tribute”. The play was written and performed by Lake Norman High thearter teacher Lakeetha Blakeney. Other performers included A.L. Brown High student Brianna Frye and Kannapolis resident Janice Summerlin. The play depicted an outline of the life of a slave during the Civil War with its trials, tribulations, and final triumph when emancipation came. The play featured song, dance, and dramatic See FORUM, Page 3

Mt. Holly studying expanding and improving downtown parks By Alan Hodge

Mt. Holly’s annual Black History Forum took place last Sunday at the Municipal Center and featured an historical play. “Sweet Jenn” actresses from left Brianna Frye, Lakeetha Blakeney, Janice Sumlin. Photo by Alan Hodge

Belmont to get new hotel

alan@cfmedia.info

As our area grows in population, the need for more and better parks is imperative. To face that challenge, the City of Mt. Holly is in the early planning stages of enlarging and enhancing one existing park and possibly building another new one in the downtown area. Last week’s meeting of the city council saw representatives Laura Handleton and Kyle Baugh from Charlottebased Kimley-Horn Laura Handleton and Kyle Baugh from Charlotte-based Kimley-Horn design and planning delivered the potential downtown Mt. Holly parks plan to the city firm give a presenta- council last week. tion- “Downtown Park Photo by Alan Hodge Feasibility Study”- outlining ideas for making on January 14, 2019, as well downtown park on Main St. Mt. Holly’s already good as a Parks and Recreation Currently, Veteran’s Park park situation even better in Commission meeting on Janis located on a narrow, 1.57 the future. uary 22, 2019. acre strip of city owned land The presentation was Park sites evaluated in the crafted by Kimley-Horn between E. Glendale Ave. using input from a December study included the existing and E. Catawba Ave. The 14, 2018 public meeting, a Veteran’s Park, an expansion See PARKS, Page 4 steering committee meeting of Veteran’s Park, and a new

By Alan Hodge alan@cfmedia.info

A new hotel is in the works for Belmont. A public hearing followed by a unanimous 5-0 vote by the Belmont city council on Feb. 4 saw approval of a rezoning request by Warren Norman, Inc. that would allow the Home 2 Suites hotel to be built. The 3.09 acre property where the facility would be located is on the north side of Hawley Ave. and will be rezoned from Highway Commercial (HC) to Highway Commercial conditional zoning district (H-C/CD). The property is also located next door and west of the ChikFil-A near Park St. and I-85. The property is part of the Montcross development including Lowes, Walmart, and the Loftin at Montcross apartments. The property is owned owned by the Southern Bene-

Artist rendering of the Fairfield Inn currently under construction near I-85 near Mt. Holly. dictine Society. The hotel will cost in the neighborhood of $12 million to build. Plans show the structure to have four stories and around 60,000 total sq. ft. of space with 107 suite-style rooms. A total of 109 parking spaces will be available. Local business and tour-

ism leaders are full of glee over the proposed new hotel which is projected to bring around $61,800 in property tax and $100,000 in occupancy tax revenues annually. “Tourism organizations in Gaston County, Belmont and Mount Holly also will benefit See HOTEL, Page 5

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