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Power Cross Ministries asks to receive Abernathy Park; council agrees to pursue draft donation agreement
Summary
Power Cross Ministries presented 15 years of volunteer investment at Abernathy Park and proposed that the city donate the park in lieu of an $80,000 purchase, with Power Cross committing to reinvest that amount into park improvements; council directed staff to draft a formal agreement with deed restrictions to preserve public use.
Power Cross Ministries on Aug. 18 asked Statesville City Council to donate Abernathy Park to the nonprofit in place of the $80,000 purchase option included in a 2011 lease. Jeff and Natalie Stormer described roughly $1 million in cumulative improvements since 2011, ongoing annual upkeep costs around $50,000–$60,000, and a plan to reinvest the $80,000 into new playground equipment, an expanded covered shelter and additional practice space for youth baseball.
City staff recounted the 2011 25-year lease with Power Cross that included the right to purchase the property for $80,000; the nonprofit proposed donating the funds back into the park for improvements instead of paying that purchase price. Jeff Stormer said the field is used daily and that larger events require a bigger shelter; Natalie and other presenters walked council through grant and renovation history including a 2010 RBI program grant (~$160,000 then matched) that led to earlier renovations.
Council members expressed support for continuing the partnership but asked for deed restrictions that would preserve public use and provide reversion to the city if the property ceases to be used as a public park. City staff said deed restriction language and a draft agreement would be brought back to council for review. One council member noted that Power Cross had already prepared an initial agreement for the council to review.
Why it matters: the proposal would transfer ownership of a public park to a nonprofit that has maintained and improved it for years; council members sought contractual protections to ensure continued public access.
Next steps: staff will draft a donation agreement with deed restrictions and present it to council for approval; Power Cross said it would continue to coordinate improvement plans with the city and community.
Quote: "We don't wanna lock this field out. This is something we want the community to continue to use," Jeff Stormer told the council.
