Special from the April 22, 1998 edition of the Iredell Citizen Newspaper

Exciting New Changes Continue Downtown

Special To The Iredell Citizen 
From DWIGHT BASSETT
There continue to be many new and exciting changes happening in downtown! Downtown has grown and changed in the last five years and our demand for space continues to be a challenge.

Charter School
A new charter school has been approved through the State of North Carolina, Department of Public Instruction. American Renaissance Charter School will be home to 112 students in grades kindergarten through fifth with a curriculum based around art, research, communication and science. The new school will be located in downtown and will offer children the opportunity to experience our downtown 'from birth to fifth grade. The school is a private, non-profit, publicly funded and all are welcome to apply. Board members for the school include Dwight Bassett, Bill MacMillan, Diane Hamby, Jan Hunter and Kate Alice Dunaway.

Today's Update:
American Renaissance is now a thriving K-8 public charter school located in three buildings in Historic Downtown Statesville. The school recently received the Mayor's Cup award as a testament to the school's commitment to education and community development.

New Study
Preservation North Carolina, a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to preserving our heritage, recently released a report completed by Donovan Rypkema and the Real Estate Services Group. This study documents the direct and indirect financial impact of preservation in North Carolina.

There have been 732 private sector, income-producing rehabilitation's since 1976 representing $325 million in private investment. If projects not eligible for tax credits were included, i.e., public structures and private homes, the number could easily have doubled. This investment represents over 25,000 jobs for our state and a total economic impact of over $1.2 billion.

MainStreet communities across the state have led downtown revitalization effort that have resulted in 676 business expansions, 3400 new businesses, 1871 restored facades, 1500 building rehabilitation’s and 7200 new jobs, all representing $450 million in new investment.

The report has three references to Statesville’s Downtown and our successful efforts. For copies of the report or for more information on the study, contact DSDC at 878-3436.

Today's Update
About 10 years after this article, as we all know, Downtown Statesville underwent a major revitalization and street scape. Downtown Statesville continues to bring in new businesses and make updates. For the 2022/23 fiscal year, there were 6 facade improvements, 2 building renovations, 46 jobs gained (net, not including part-time), 20 businesses gained (net). This brings a new public investment of $161,000 and new private investment of $9,346,272. 

Annual Conference
North Carolina Downtown Development Association will be holding its Annual Conference in Statesville, April 22 - 24. The conference headquarters will be the Historic Vance: Hotel. There will be over 175 professionals in attendance who work directly in downtown development and associated fields. Topics range from sustainable development / urban sprawl, the web and web pages, board and volunteer management, to tax act certification for tax credits.

The conference includes two symposiums that can be attended separately or as a part of the conference; the board and volunteer management and tax act certification. There will be two keynote speakers: Dwight Young from the National Trust,, who writes the back page in Historic Preservation magazine speaking on “Urban Sprawl” and Betsy Jackson, Director of International Downtown Association, speaking on “The Future of Downtown?"

If there are enough businesses who want to welcome this group to downtown, we will be glad to coordinate a package to go in their registration information to invite them to shop in downtown. If you are, interested in attending any of the sessions, call DSDC at 878-3436.

Today's Update:
The Statesville Convention & Visitors Bureau continues to work with groups coming to Statesville or hosting their events in Statesville. From hotels to venues, Statesville has options. Now, the Civic Center is a prime location and venue for hosting events. 

Grant Received
The Downtown Statesville Development Corporation (DSDC) has received notification from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation that a grant for $20,000 has been approved for support of Connect Iredell. The funds are earmarked for purchase of computer equipment and connectivity.

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation was established in 1936 as a memorial to the youngest son of the founder of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The Foundation has made grants totaling more than $247 million to recipients in all of North Carolina's 100 counties.

The idea for a community network in Iredell County came about more than a year ago after members of DSDC's board and its director, Dwight Bassett, attended a Downtowns of the Future seminar. A recurring theme at that seminar was the benefit that a community could derive from a community networking activity.

Today's Update:
Well, there have been quite a few technology updates since 1998! Now, we all carry a small computer in our pockets. What would they think about that!?

Currently in planning stages are:

•Development of a learning and information center iCounty on-line information resources.

•In partnership with several county organizations, enhancing public access at the Iredell County and Mooresville Libraries.

•Creation of additional public access sites throughout the county. In collaboration with various agencies and individuals, creation of a learning and information center in northern Iredell County.

Conducting training sessions for both individuals and agencies throughout the county in effective utilization and creation of on-line information resources.

Downtown News

Attaining recognition as an independent, nonprofit corporation by the Internal Revenue Service Other news includes: •Atlantic Screen Graphics has moved to 235 E Front St.
•Papa John’s Pizza has opened at 110 Tradd St.
•Spainhour’s Studio has opened at 108 W Broad St.
•The Statesville Record and Landmark has expanded and relocated their Advertising Division to 205 S Tradd St.
•David Kennedy of Black Angus Grille has opened The Olde 1849 Pizza Factory at 122 Landmark Alley
•Jason's House of Music , 122 W Broad St., has been sold to The Music Center •Chef Gregg Hamm has opened Planet Foods at 132 E Broad St. , •Iredell Partnership for Young Children/Smart Start Program’s new office is 128 E Broad St.

Today's Update:
In May 2024, Downtown Statesville welcomed 3 new businesses:

Bee & Barrel
212 S. Center St.

Apex Outdoor Sports, LLC
236 W. Broad St

The Wallace on Broad
230 W. Broad St.