Edward Norvell: Downtown important to city's vitality

Others have done a great job explaining why locating the central school office downtown makes good economic sense. I want to answer the basic question, why downtown?

I am one of those who are passionate about downtown Salisbury. For the last 35 years I have lived, worked, raised money for, watched, or been involved in most of the major projects that have lifted downtown Salisbury out of decline and into the vibrant place that it is today.

The tax value of downtown Salisbury in 1989 was $31.5 million; in 2011 it had grown to $84.7 million with the highest per acre tax value in the county ($1,022,000 per acre).

Salisbury is ranked third in per capita retail sales in the state (after Asheville and Wilmington), and downtown Salisbury is the largest employer in Rowan County. It is the center of local government, the court system, the main library, five churches, nineteen restaurants and coffee shops, 75 shops, four banks, 140 residences, attorneys, accountants, print shops, bookstores, computer support services, farmer’s market, organic food store, the offices of the Chamber of Commerce, theaters, museums, and event centers - most locally owned.

Downtown has so many success stories. The story of how the depot was transformed from a derelict eyesore to the showplace that it is today. F&M Bank locating their offices on Main Street, opening up Easy Street and transforming the area. F&M also donated an abandoned car dealership to the Waterworks and it became one of the finest art galleries in the state, with classes for all ages and exhibits including one recently honoring Vietnam War veterans.

The Rowan Museum turned the 1855 court house into a repository for local history, hosting thousands of school children every year, and making its Messinger Room available for wedding receptions and reunions; a lasting place of memories. Rowan Helping Ministries was built on South Long Street after Ralph Ketner made a few calls to some close friends and with the tremendous support of the community.

Government has done its part. Salisbury city offices are located downtown, as is the police station. When I was the clerk of court, the decision was made by county officials to keep the courthouse, sheriff’s department and related offices downtown. With the leadership of Newt Cohen, Rowan County restored the beautiful marble post office for county offices. Also the county expanded the main library downtown.

Ralph and Anne Ketner bought and restored the Plaza, then gave it to the city as a gift. Rail Walk was created by the Glenn Ketner family and is home to the Black Box Theater and studios of scores of local artists.

There are many stories about buildings restored and new construction — Salisbury Emporium, Kluttz Drugstore, Threadshed, Literary Bookpost, Pottery 101, Caniche, Queens Gifts, Stitching Post, Critters, the Steinmans and the Hardiman building, Salisbury Post, Fire House lofts, Neil Sansovich buildings — the list goes on and on.

And yes, I have a personal story. I was there when the Piedmont Players successfully restored the Meroney Theater in the mid 1990s. In 2007 Reid Leonard came to me with the idea of creating a new children’s theater; when the pool hall came on the market, we bought it. My mother, Lucile Norvell, was in declining health and told me she wanted to do something special for the community. We brought the idea of the children’s theater to her, and she agreed to support it with a lead gift. With her support we made plans and completed the fund raising despite the recession. She died a few months later and did not see the theater open in 2009 with the biblically inspired “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Paul Fisher said she planted a tree that she would never see grow to maturity. But the impact that the Norvell Theater has had on the lives of young people throughout the county cannot be denied.

Yes, I am passionate about downtown and think it is the best location for the school offices. I hope you agree!

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Edward P. Norvell is an attorney and writer who lives in Salisbury.