IFN Staff

North Carolina has seen a boom in cities investing in vibrant downtowns over the past decade, and Statesville’s downtown has become a model of how to do that successfully.

“Statesville is at the top tier. Everyone looks at Statesville to see what you’re doing. Truly, you’re leading the way,” said David Maurer, the keynote speaker at Downtown Statesville Development Corporation’s annual meeting on Wednesday at the Civic Center.

In the last eight years, residential development downtown has been a big part of that growth, said Maurer, who is president of Maurer Architecture. Studies have shown that each downtown unit generates about $11,000 for downtown businesses.

“That’s not rent, that’s how much is spent per apartment, just by the people living downtown,” he said.

Statesville currently has 109 residential units downtown, with another 118 in the works. That’s a huge win for downtown, Maurer said, with everything from higher property taxes to lower crime rates and both private and public economic investment.

“(With residential growth) you’re not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday downtown. You have more social gatherings and events. There’s a sense of ownership — it becomes a neighborhood,” he said.

In addition to the expected 24-35 year olds occupying downtown units, Maurer said they’re seeing a huge increase in the 56-plus age group. These are empty nesters and retirees, often with more disposable income, and should be part of residential growth plans in the coming decade.

Downtown Statesville is poised to capitalize on that and other growth opportunities, said Michael Young, who served as DSDC interim director.

“In the realm of economic development, the concept of ‘downtown’ has become a focal point for communities of all sizes,” he said. “Downtowns play a significant role in fostering economic growth, cultural vibrancy, community identity and building local wealth — and that is the mission of the Downtown Statesville Development Corporation.”

Matthew Pierce, the new downtown & business development manager for the City of Statesville and the DSDC, highlighted how residential growth is just one piece of three main goals the organization is focused on.

Those goals include increasing downtown residents and employees by 10 percent; increasing retail sales downtown by 10 percent; and drawing an additional 200 people downtown each week.

To meet those targets, DSDC is improving grant processes; looking at ways to redevelop properties that need extensive work; increasing available resources for new businesses and property developers; and leveraging partnerships with the city, Downtown Mercantile Association and others. And, of course, they are increasing promotion of all downtown has to offer.

“We want to invite people to make downtown ‘their place’,” Pierce said. “Together, we are building something incredible, one small step at a time.”

There has been transition year for DSDC, as the organization has been moved under the City of Statesville’s umbrella.

“This quasi-governmental model is going to move DSDC to the next level,” said Trey Robertson, incoming DSDC board chairman. “As a group of organizations, we are much stronger in partnership. Downtown will continue to be where it all comes together.”

DOWNTOWN BY THE NUMBERS

♦ 790 parking spots
♦ 286 First-floor storefronts
♦ 109 residential units
♦ 25 restaurants
♦ 49 retail merchants
♦ 87 percent occupancy rate

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