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Gaston Business Association seeks county adoption of Downtown Gastonia revitalization plan as guiding tool
Summary
Patrick Mumford presented a non‑regulatory Downtown Gastonia revitalization plan emphasizing public spaces, connectivity, and market opportunities; the Gastonia city council already adopted the plan and the association asked the Gaston County commission to place the plan on the Aug. 25 agenda for county adoption as an advisory guide.
Patrick Mumford, president and CEO of the Gaston Business Association, described a multi‑year effort to create a Downtown Gastonia revitalization plan intended to be an actionable, non‑regulatory tool to guide public‑private investment and design choices in the downtown MSD area. He said the plan focuses on reconnecting neighborhoods across physical barriers (a ditch and Franklin Boulevard), reusing large under‑developed parcels, and encouraging gathering spaces and improved sidewalks to create vibrancy.
Mumford emphasized the plan was meant to "live and breathe" and be a tool for evaluating projects rather than a prescriptive land‑use code. He noted the Gastonia city council adopted the plan two weeks earlier and asked the county to consider formal acceptance on Aug. 25; he said county property could be an opportunity for a public‑private venture but that the document is not a request for funding. Commissioners thanked the presenters and no immediate funding or vote was taken; Mumford said he would seek a spot on the Aug. 25 agenda for formal county acceptance.
