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.
Statesville Police Department expansion and parking garage
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.
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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
Cochran Street Recreation Center renovation work is underway. Major renovation components 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 improvements
At Newtonville Park, installation of the pickleball courts is complete. Disc golf course installation is scheduled for November. Walking trail expansion remains to be completed.
Airport apron expansion and Victory Air Hangar
For the Airport Apron Expansion project, NCDOT has awarded funding, and permitting updates are underway. The project is being prepared for bidding. Construction is expected to take approximately three to four months.
The Victory Air Hangar (East Corporate Area – Phase 2) 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 project
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
For the 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
For the 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 community dates
- October 8 – SPD National Night Out
- October 10 – Levitt AMP Music Concert Series
- October 16-18 – Carolina BalloonFest
- October 22 – Fall Planning Session
- October 24 – South Statesville Community Meeting
- October 28 – Downtown Trick or Treat
