NEWS

 

Transformational, Generational Opportunity

Tuesday night, the Davidson Town Board voted to approve Resolution 2024-20 that asks the North Carolina General Assembly to put a referendum for Mecklenburg County voters on the November 2025 ballot.

Mayor Rusty Knox had stated during his remarks associated with his quarterly reports that Charlotte had purchased the O-Line rail from Norfolk Southern. That set the table for the presentation and conversations that followed.

The agenda topic began with a detailed overview from Town Manager Jamie Justice. He began by noting that the topic had been on the agenda at the Board’s previous meeting, and that his updated presentation would be somewhat abbreviated.

Before he started with his slide presentation, Justice called this moment “monumental.” “Working in local government as many years as I have, this is something that is so significant – it is incredible that we have reached this point.” He further detailed a list of reasons why this is so important.

The proposal as delineated in his first slide is as follows:

“Legislation to seek authorization from the North Carolina General Assembly authorizing the voters of Mecklenburg County to determine by referendum whether they will support an additional sales tax for further investment in roadway and public transportation systems.”

The initial highlights slide presented included the following details:

• Current ½-cent sales tax for transit in Mecklenburg County continues and the proposed is a 1-cent increase to the sales tax for roadway and transit.
• New 1-cent projected to bring in $19.4 billion over 30 years.
• New 1-cent would break down to 60% for transit (40% rail, 20% bus) and 40% for roads; the 6 towns get 50% share of the road funds.
• Road monies would go to the towns and city via a formula; Money to the Town of Davidson in the first year is app. $3.125M and would grow over time.
• Transit dollars would build out the 2030 Transit System Plan – Red Line, Silver Line to the airport, Blue Line extension, Silver Line bus rapid transit (BRT) to the east, Gold Line; Also includes system investment.

Justice also highlighted that the new proposal for Red Line service is vastly different from what had been discussed over the decades.

• Proposed is approximately 42 trains per day – day and night, weekday and weekend service; Approximately 45-minute trip from Mt. Mourne to the gateway station in downtown Charlotte; Train frequency approximately every 30 minutes during peak.

Justice closed his remarks with an effort to temper the expectations with a review of the expected timeline. If the N.C. General Assembly approves, the referendum will be placed on the November 2025 ballot. If approved by county residents, the 1-cent would start in the summer of 2026. Even if everything goes according to the timeline, it will still likely be 8-10 years before Red Line trains will be running.

Several Town Commissioners spoke about the proposal and the work that has gone into getting to this vote. They noted that this proposal is transformational because it not only addresses the Red Line, but additional transportation issues as well. Commissioner Autumn Rierson Michael, who was participating via video, thanked the planning team for already addressing some of the issues she had brought up at previous meetings. She specifically said they had met this week to talk about seeking “best practices in other communities on rail lines that have tremendous, unique historic character and residential uses super close to the line. . .I hope that we can be on the forefront of a progressive community as we look at how we embrace rail and transit and the good that comes from it while not hurting our community in the process.”

One comment that stood out was from Commissioner Ryan Fay. Noting that the proposal isn’t perfect, he said “we can’t let perfect be the enemy of the really good, and this is a really good proposal.” That sentiment was echoed several additional times throughout the evening.

When it came time for public comment, Davidson College President Doug Hicks was the first person to sign up. Hicks spoke as a resident and on behalf of the college, and asked the Board to support the measure and called this a “remarkable opportunity.”

The following speakers represented some largest employers in Davidson and the surrounding communities, all who spoke in support of the vote. Former Town Commissioner Matthew Fort who spoke on behalf of Ingersoll Rand. He was followed by Meredith Preloh, representing Lowe’s Home Improvement. Scott Tew spoke on behalf of Trane Industries.

Local resident Steve Sonnenberg voiced the lone dissenting opinion during public comment. He suggested that the board vote no on the “draft as currently written” and then detailed a list of suggested changes.

Bob McIntosh, founding partner of the McIntosh Law Firm and local commercial and residential property owner talked about the history of the project. He noted that he didn’t support the original project 26 years ago, but that the new project is different and hoped that the Board would support it.

The final public comment came from Larry Shaheen, also a member of the McIntosh Law Firm. He noted his work on helping draft some of the legislative language and then took the time to thank the Mayor and the Board. He also highlighted the important work of Town Manager Jamie Justice.

Before calling for the vote, Mayor Rusty Knox noted that while he doesn’t get to vote, he did have the opportunity to share his 2 cents. “The Red Line was a promise, a dream, an aspiration that was born decades ago. . .the Red Line, along with other enhancements that we will be able to achieve through the 1-cent sales tax stand without measure as the most transformational investment for our communities and our future.”

Commissioner Tracy Mattison Brandon made the motion to approve Resolution 2024-20 in support of legislation authorizing referendum.

When the Mayor called the vote, it was unanimous.

Before moving on to the next item of business, Mayor Knox said “this is a moment in time that everybody needs to remember. It is so important.”