Council approves $4.62 million CDBG-DR application for downtown pavilion and visitor center

Lenoir City Council voted to authorize submission of a $4,620,000 Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG‑DR) application to the North Carolina Department of Commerce that would fund downtown revitalization tied to the city’s master plan.

Kyle K., community and economic development manager for the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, outlined the proposal and said the grant request would fund construction of the Over Mountain Victory Pavilion, rehabilitation of the building at 1129 West Avenue Northwest for visitor and auxiliary support space, and demolition of the building at 1136 Harper Avenue. He said the project is in the CDBG commercial district revitalization category and qualifies for federal funding because the downtown is in a HUD‑qualified low‑to‑moderate income census tract.

"CDBG allows grant funds to be used for administration purposes," Kyle said, noting the application includes $420,000 for project development and administration and $4,200,000 for construction costs. He also told council this is the second public hearing required for a CDBG application and that staff may return with other project requests in the future.

Council Member Presswood moved to approve an authorizing resolution and the required citizen participation and anti‑displacement plans; the motion carried unanimously. The council did not record individual roll‑call votes in the meeting record.

Next steps include completing the application package and submitting it to the state division that administers CDBG‑DR funds; if awarded, the city will proceed with design and federal compliance steps required by HUD.