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Kannapolis city manager outlines fall projects, downtown parking additions and strategic plan
Summary
City manager Mike Leg said Kannapolis will add more than 200 downtown parking spaces, start City Hall interior renovations in September, continue the 'Imagine Kannapolis' decade-long strategic plan and welcomed new businesses and downtown openings.
Mike Leg, city manager of Kannapolis, outlined a slate of fall projects and economic developments, saying the city will add more than 200 downtown parking spaces, begin interior renovations at City Hall in September and continue work on a decade-long strategic plan.
"We're constructing two new parking lots that'll add more than 200 new spaces for downtown patrons," Leg said, describing an effort he called necessary to ease growing parking challenges downtown. He also highlighted a new shuttle to connect remote parking with the theater district: the free West Avenue Express will run from the research campus parking deck to the Swan Theater on Fridays and Saturdays.
Leg framed the projects as part of a broader effort to support downtown businesses and city amenities. He thanked residents for supporting the renovated Swan Theater, noting sponsors purchased bricks and new seats and that "almost 60,000 movie tickets were sold since we opened in May." He said the theater will host a range of live events this fall, from concerts to comedy shows.
On city services, Leg acknowledged that a new garbage and recycling contractor that began service July 1 has encountered initial "hiccups" as crews learn neighborhoods, and he said the city expects customer service to improve as the contractor completes the learning curve. He urged residents to use the Cartology app to check recycling rules, set reminders and request new garbage carts; the app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Leg announced that interior renovations at City Hall will begin in September because the customer service staff have outgrown current office space. "Our customer service staff will be relocating to a temporary location," he said, and he asked residents to contact the department by phone or email for assistance while the work proceeds.
The city manager also described "Imagine Kannapolis," a strategic plan developed with public input that will guide investment over the next decade. Plans listed by Leg include east and west side parks, the next phase of improvements to the gym and theater, revitalization of Midway, sidewalk projects, potential renovations to a history museum, upgrades to fire stations and public works facilities, an emergency communications tower for police and fire, athletic field improvements and additional downtown parking.
On economic development, Leg said the city has welcomed new corporate operations and retail activity downtown, including Chick-fil-A supply and Alta warehousing, four new restaurants, a bank food hall near the Swan Theater, Tal City Tavern and a Cannonballers team store adjacent to Atrium Health.
Leg closed by encouraging residents to stay engaged with the city's website and social media channels and invited questions or suggestions by phone or email. The city manager did not announce formal votes or deadlines for the projects beyond the City Hall renovation start date in September.
