Dec. 17. By Dave Vieser. At their final 2024 meeting, the Cornelius Town Board outlined their priority state legislative agenda items for 2025. Town officials will convey these priorities to state representatives in the General Assembly so they have a clearer understanding of the highest priority issues concerning the town and its citizens.
In order of priority: 
—Approval of requested Transportation Sales Tax legislation authorizing a Mecklenburg County referendum allowing the citizens to determine if an additional 1 cent sales tax for investments in road and transit improvements is appropriate.
—$9.5M for planning & design for a future Westmoreland Interchange (Exit 27, I-77) for regional economic development, improvement to the transportation network, and improving emergency & patient access to the new Atrium hospital.
—$3M for the acquisition of property for the construction of a future Public Safety Facility. This facility will include a third Fire Station that will provide adequate geographic coverage for the southwest portion of the Town, along with a Police Substation to accommodate the facility needs of the police.
—$1M for replacing Cornelius Fire Department’s radios that are nearing end of life.
—$2M to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of NC 115/Catawba Ave. to accommodate increased pedestrian activity in the downtown Cornelius area.
—$3.5M to construct a Town Recreation Center on the campus of the soon-to-be rebuilt Cornelius Elementary School.
The agenda also included two affordable housing initiatives:
—$2M to be provided directly to the Lake Norman CDC (Community Development Corporation) for the implementation of the Smithville Revitalization Plan
—$2M to be to the Lake Norman CDC (Community Development Corporation) for the development of affordable housing throughout the Town (not related to the Smithville community).
The solution to traffic congestion is more exits off 77. Thats no solution. Just a response.
Its a start to relieve exit 28 massive traffic problem. How about an entrance from Catawba south down service road (west side of 77 South past Life Church and Power Sports) to exit 27 toward relieving 28 as well
To remind all, years ago town leaders thought it would be great to redo the curbing and sidewalks on Catawba on the East side of I 77 and never gave thought to what improvement on this section of Catawba would benefit the town most for long term. A turn lane at intersections would have been the better thing to do. Left hand turns (either direction of traffic flow) constantly jam up traffic. Drivers on this section of road are too occupied with cussing to themselves to even take notice of the curbs/sidewalks. Said another way, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for town leaders to make well thought out improvements / changes!