By Susan Shinn

For The Salisbury Post

KANNAPOLIS — The Kannapolis City Council is giving serious consideration to improvements on Harding Avenue, which would benefit both the Carver neighborhood and Kannapolis City Schools.

Council agreed to pursue a project labeled Option 1, which would replace a damaged culvert, repave parts of South Harding and Lowe avenues, add on-street parking and create a 7-foot sidewalk in the area. Total cost of this option is $700,726.63, with the city’s portion at $582,002.63 and the school system’s portion at $118,724.

Public Works Director Wilmer Melton said that the school system would be charged only for improvements directly related to the area around Kannapolis Intermediate School.

The removal of a significant amount of kudzu around the culvert revealed a large hole at the culvert, Melton said. The school system is willing to share in the project costs, he said, because there’s joint benefit to both entities.

The property is owned by Kannapolis City Schools and will be maintained by the school system once these improvements are made, Melton noted.

There is some Community Development Block Grant funding for the project, said Irene Sacks, director of business and community affairs, but not enough to cover the full amount. Melton said that funds could be pulled from storm water funds or from fund balance.

“I think that’s the answer — multiple sources,” City Manager Mike Legg said. He added that this would be a capital improvement budget item for the upcoming budget. Melton said that the school system would be seeking funds during its 2015-16 fiscal year as well.

Council decided to recommend Option 1 so that the school system could start searching for its portion of the funding.

In other business:

• Legg presented the city’s priorities for the 2015 State Legislative Spring Session Agenda. They include support of the following items: the League of Municipalities and N.C. Metro Mayors’ Coalition agendas; neither federal nor state government should undermine municipal authority; restoration of state historic tax credits; no additional unfunded mandates or reductions in revenue producing streams; the examination of new transportation revenue streams to complete state and local projects; increased and continued funding for economic development strategic incentives and programs.

Council approved the list 6-0 (Councilman Roger Haas was absent). Taking the list one step further, council also unanimously passed a resolution to reinstate the state’s historic rehabilitation tax credits.

Legg noted that in 2013, the program contributed $124.5 million to the state’s gross domestic product, and accounted for some 2,190 jobs. Since 1998, the credits have been used in 2,321 projects, creating an investment in the state worth $1.5 billion.

“It’s a high priority to revitalize downtown Kannapolis, whoever owns it,” Legg said. “Tax credits can be critically important for anyone who wants to invest in downtown Kannapolis.”

• Council voted unanimously to upgrade the city’s website, which was created in 2008.

“Our website is being used with far more frequency by our citizens than we anticipated,” Legg said. “It doesn’t have the ability to keep up with the demand.”

Legg said that economic development funds were available to start the upgrade project now. “We won’t have to extend the Band-Aid approach with this project.”

“We deserve more than what it is now,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ryan Dayvault, who noted that navigation of the Web site was difficult.

The site cannot accommodate any e-commerce, such as paying utility bills online, said Annette Privette Keller, communications director. She estimated the cost of the upgrade — which would be contracted — at between $45,000 and $55,000.

The website can be maintained in-house after it is completed, she added. “We’ll try to move as quickly as we can. I’m really concerned about it right now.”

• Council voted unanimously to approve a capital project ordinance for the construction of a connector road between Glen Afton and Goodman roads. Project cost is $493,100. A Golden Leaf Grant of $453,300 has been secured, with the city’s cost at $39,800.

Mayor Darrell Hinnant noted that the project was part of the deal with Gordon Food Services to supply an alternate route from its facility.

“It will probably be ready about the same time they’re opening, or soon after,” Legg said.

Legg added that Gordon Food Services is currently posting available positions only on its website. As of Monday night, two positions were posted.

• Planning Director Zac Gordon presented a summary of construction activity from 2013 to 2014. He said that single-family units increased from 199 to 338, a 70 percent increase; multi-family units increased from 24 to 189, a 688 percent increase; and non-residential construction increased from $24 million to $60.5 million (which includes City Hall).

Additionally, he said, the projected tax value for all construction increased from $83 million to $189 million, a 128 percent increase.

“Those are good numbers, very positive,” Gordon said. “I think it’s a very good indication of where the city is going.”

• Legg noted that E-Waste Day will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 7 at the Public Works Operations Center, 1401 Bethpage Road. Electronics may be disposed of during the event, and paper shredding will also be offered.

Freelance writer Susan Shinn lives in Salisbury.