Mount Holly updates wastewater decommissioning; council debates reserving site for parks

Robert Stewart, the project presenter, told the Mount Holly City Council on Jan. 12 that decommissioning the city’s wastewater treatment plant has reached multiple milestones and is scheduled for completion in May 2026.

Stewart said the project received grant funding in April 2024, HDR Engineering was selected as design engineer, Synagro handled early dewatering, and PC Construction is the decommissioning contractor. He said Charlotte Water began receiving Mount Holly sewer at its pump station in July 2025 and that crews have placed roughly 500 dump-truck loads to begin grading the site. Stewart cited plan figures showing roughly 95,000 cubic yards of fill will be brought in to achieve level ground and that the wastewater property totals 13.8 acres with about 10.3 acres available for future use after existing permanent easements.

The presentation noted the site sits largely in the mapped 100- and 500-year flood plains, but Stewart said the property could be permitted for fill and development with appropriate approvals. He showed aerial photos of early work and described utility easements held by Charlotte Water, including a permanent access easement back to the pump station.

Why it matters: the size, flood-plain condition and easements constrain what the city can do with the property, but officials said the site could be used for expanded parks and recreation if access and permitting questions are addressed.

After the presentation, Councilmember Ms. Harris moved that the council "designate this space at the former wastewater treatment plant for the exclusive use of expanding our parks and recreation programming at Tuckaseechee Park and direct staff" to begin planning (motion text offered orally). The motion was seconded by Mr. Reeves.

Council then debated process. A motion to table the parks designation (mover: Mr. Craig) was made and seconded; council discussed whether more information was needed before a final decision. The tabling motion was put to a voice/hand vote and was recorded with members on both sides; the transcript records names called during the tabling vote and then shows council returning to the original parks-motion. When the council later took a voice/hand vote on Ms. Harris’s motion to designate the property for recreation only, the chair recorded a mixture of responses and several members abstained or otherwise did not cast a straightforward yes/no vote; the meeting transcript records procedural confusion during the count and a comment that the motion was recorded as unanimous because several members abstained.

Council members asked staff to continue outreach regarding access and easements. Mr. DuPont said staff had re‑engaged A and E management about converting a connector road to a permanent access route and scheduled further discussions.

What’s next: staff will continue follow-up with Charlotte Water and A and E on access easements and will report back with more detailed recommendations and options for recreation programming at the site.

Quotes (from the record): "This project has been a long time coming," Robert Stewart said, describing the selection of HDR Engineering and PC Construction and the work already performed.

Ms. Harris summarized her motion on the floor as seeking to reserve the former plant "for the exclusive use of expanding our parks and recreation programming at Tuckaseechee Park and direct staff recreation expansion on the site." (oral motion recorded in the transcript.)

Ending: Council directed staff to continue outreach and provide more detailed information; the record shows the council paused further action pending additional discussion and clarifications about access and easements.