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Newton council designates Ridgeview Hosiery Mills a local historic landmark
Summary
After a public hearing and unanimous vote, Newton City Council approved Local Historic Landmark status for the Ridgeview Hosiery Mills at 2101 North Main Avenue, citing state preservation office support and a planned adaptive-reuse redevelopment.
Newton City Council unanimously approved Local Historic Landmark designation on March 3 for the Ridgeview Hosiery Mills complex at 2101 North Main Avenue, a step developers say will guide its planned adaptive reuse.
Planning Director Randy Williams introduced the application from the property owner, 2101 N. Main, LLC, and said the Planning Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 9 to recommend the designation. Christopher Johnson, developer with the Monument Company, told council the mill dates largely from 1907'1928 with additions through the 1960s and is nationally recognized as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. He said the State Historic Preservation Office sent letters of support in September 2025 and January 2026 as required by NCGS 160D-946.
"This resource will be redeveloped as an adaptive reuse and maintained for future generations," Johnson said.
Johnson and staff described the building as an early-20th-century industrial complex important to Newton's textile history and said portions of the complex are currently deteriorating. Planning Director Williams noted local landmark designation requires redevelopment to follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for historic properties.
Two members of the public spoke during the hearing. Patrick Sterchi said he supported the plan and noted strong public interest after posting about it on social media. MacGregor VanBeurden raised concerns about the planned units being market-rate and affordability implications.
After closing the hearing, Council Member Jody Dixon moved to approve the designation; Council Member Bill Powell seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
The designation is recorded in the City Clerk's office and will be reflected in redevelopment permits and subsequent review steps. The developer and city indicated the landmark status is intended to preserve character while enabling the planned mixed-use redevelopment approved by council in November 2025.