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Belmont Main Street presenters urge volunteer-driven downtown revitalization; Cramerton board discusses advisory committees and social-district pilot
Summary
Owners John and Jennifer Church presented Belmont’s Main Street approach and encouraged volunteer engagement and nonprofit structures to pursue grants. The board discussed forming advisory committees (including a Center Street model) and a pilot social district on Center Street requiring ABC permits and signage.
John and Jennifer Church, developers of Chronicle Mills, presented Belmont’s Main Street revitalization model to the Cramerton Board of Commissioners on July 14, highlighting a four-point approach—organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring—that they said helped Belmont rebuild its downtown.
Jennifer Church described practical components: tracking volunteer hours to demonstrate volunteer value to grantors, prioritizing parking and business retention, using social media to recruit volunteers, and forming a nonprofit (the Downtown Belmont Development Association, a 501(c)(3)) to pursue grants. The presenters told the board they would be willing to assist Cramerton in setting up a similar program; they also encouraged teen volunteer participation.
The board discussed structuring an advisory body to steer downtown projects. Commissioner Atkinson said he drafted a charter for a Center Street advisory committee that could operate as a 501(c)(3) to accept private donations and seek grants; Attorney Karen Wolter suggested an alternate model as a Community Development Association that could include arts and economic development functions while allowing staff and volunteers to serve on the advisory board. Mayor Nelson Wills said he will take the lead on gathering information and present a model to the board at a future meeting.
Staff also raised the idea of piloting a "social district" on Center Street to allow managed outdoor consumption tied to participating ABC‑permitted businesses. Town Manager David Pugh said the Center Street sidewalks would minimize impacts; Chief Brad Adams noted that state statutes and ABC rules must be addressed, and Attorney Wolter said the Centennial Center could serve as an alternate venue or that events could proceed under special-event permits while the town finalizes an ordinance and management plan.
What’s next: Mayor Wills will compile a draft structure for the advisory committee and staff will continue work on ordinances, maps and a management/maintenance plan for any social-district pilot.
