City Manager October 2026 Update to City Council


Ron Smith, Statesville City Manager, provided his monthly update to City Council on Monday, October 5, 2026, covering major construction projects, recreation improvements, airport activity, utility projects, public WiFi expansion, Public Works updates, City Council committee work, and upcoming community dates.

Police Department Expansion Construction Update

Work continues on the Statesville Police Department expansion.

For the Police Department expansion:

  • Rooftop HVAC units are scheduled to be installed this week.
  • Brick work is expected to be completed soon.

For the parking garage:

  • Elevator delivery delays have pushed completion to the end of November.

Municipal Operations Center

The Municipal Operations Center design has been submitted to TRC. The project is moving toward a Guaranteed Maximum Price, or GMP, in the spring. Financing is also expected to be discussed during the Fall Session.

Cochran Street Recreation Center

Major renovation components at the Cochran Street Recreation Center include:

  • Padded flooring in the cardio and weight rooms
  • Gymnasium floor repairs
  • Wall padding
  • Basketball goal adjustments

Fitness equipment is scheduled for delivery in late October. Remaining work includes co-working space furniture, television installation, and additional plumbing.

Newtonville Park

Installation of the pickleball courts at Newtonville Park is complete. Disc golf course installation is scheduled for November. Walking trail expansion remains to be completed.

Airport Apron Expansion

NCDOT has awarded funding for the Airport Apron Expansion project, and permitting updates are underway. The project is being prepared for bidding. Construction is expected to take approximately three to four months. Victory Air Hangar (East Corporate Area – Phase 2) The Victory Air Hangar project has been awarded to the low bidder, Garanco, Inc. A preconstruction meeting is scheduled for Friday. The lead time for the metal building is four to five months. Work has already begun on contractor requests for information so building submittals can begin.

Waterline Spline

The fourth partial in-service portion of the Waterline Spline project has been approved by DEQ. The project is now 90% complete. Construction is underway on the Five Points stub connection.

Other Public Utilities Projects

3rd Creek Sewer Extension

Project staking and clearing of construction limits began the week of September 14. The notice to proceed date has been set for October 19, with mobilization planned one week earlier.

Inflow/Infiltration Study

Flow monitoring has been completed, and targeted manhole inspections are underway. The study is identifying rehabilitation needs and developing a preliminary basis for future construction projects. To date, an estimated $4.2 million in repair costs has been identified. The first Capital Improvement Plan placeholder is $1.7 million in FY 2028.

Public WiFi Project

Exterior WiFi access points have been installed at the Cochran Street Recreation Center, and work is underway to extend the building’s guest network to the surrounding outdoor areas. WiFi is also operational at the Statesville Leisure Pool, where the guest network will be extended before the pool reopens. A site survey of the Statesville Soccer Complex is scheduled for November 11. This location will serve as the first full rollout of the City’s free public WiFi service.

Public Works Update

Work at The Flats is expected to be completed by the end of next week. REV and Building Maintenance will determine street furniture and plantings for the area. Following a downtown water leak, Streets will repair the brick once the leak has been repaired by Water/Sewer Maintenance.

North Race Street Repaving

NCDOT’s contractor is expected to begin repaving operations on North Race Street this week. The work is expected to take approximately two weeks and will be performed at night. Vehicles cannot be parked on the road during the repaving project.

City Council Committees Update

Land Use Committee

The Land Use Committee is:

  • Working on batched text amendments and updates to the Use Table
  • Planning for review of the Land Development Plan

The next meeting is scheduled for October 19.

Utilities Committee

The Utilities Committee is reviewing sewer territory issues.

Economic Development Committee

The Economic Development Committee is:

  • Working to augment the Strategic Plan
  • Focused on strengthening the City’s overall economic development efforts

The next meeting is scheduled for October 14.

Key Dates

  • October 22 – Fall Planning Session
  • October 24 – South Statesville Community Meeting

View the full presentation here.

Reall all City Manager updates to City Council here.




Originally posted by City of Statesville via Locable