Davidson has another RFP underway, but unlike the Beaty Street RFP which has caused a lot of controversy, this one hopes to address an issue many (maybe even most) can agree on - Mobility.
The Mobility Plan RFP was posted to the town website with a date of June 12th. Responses are expected by June 30th.
While Davidson has done a lot of mobility related studies in recent years including the Walks and Rolls Plan and various downtown parking studies (3 since 2011 by aShortChronicle's count), this RFP is for putting together an overall guide around mobility similar to the Town Comprehensive Plan.
"The Davidson Mobility Plan will propose transportation enhancements, programs, development policies, and projects to enhance connectivity for all modes of transportation in town. This plan will also evaluate and incorporate traffic management strategies / programs, evaluate car / bike sharing programs and investigate other innovative transportation solutions. This plan will serve as Davidson’s comprehensive transportation plan and be used as a guiding document for mobility as the town grows. Projects recommended as a result of the Davidson Mobility Plan will be prioritized and funding will need to be determined and allocated."
According to the town, unlike the Beaty Street RFP which was initially sent to a pre-selected group of developers, this RFP went to a wide audience. According to a response from town staff
"no firms received the Davidson Mobility Plan RFP directly. It was listed on the NC Planning List Serv, the town’s website, and Charlotte's RFP website."
As for a tentative timeline for vendor selection, the Town "will select a vendor 2-3 weeks after receiving the applications. This may change depending on the number of applications received and NCDOT timelines."
The plan is expected to cost $125,000 with $25,000 coming from the Town of Davidson as local match funding and $100,000 from the CRTPO / UPWP. The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a Federal program administered locally via the CRTPO that doles out money from the FTA. (No, more obscure transportation planning acronyms could not be put into that sentence.)
As is typical for Davidson, the plan covers way more than automobile mobility. As a nod to that fact, the order of the sections in the requested response is as follows: Pedestrian Mobility, Bicycle Mobility, Mass Transit, Roadways, Parking.
There is also a section for "emerging technologies". for covering things such as:
• Additive manufacturing (3D printing)
• Advanced analytics
• Automated vehicles
• Hyperloop
• Infrastructure inspection robots
• Innovative concepts for protecting pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists
• The Internet of Things
• On-demand ride services (transportation network companies)
• Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
• Pedestrian Safety and Promotion
Davidson has a long history of spending money on things of questionable value for the town. While the overall concept of a Mobility Plan seems like a good idea, this last section provides ample opportunity for that unfortunate tradition to continue. Can anyone else hear Davidson Commissioners justifying "infrastructure inspection robots" or an "unmanned aircraft system" to monitor the Town greenway network?
As with all of these types of things, Davidson says it wants lots of public input and the RFP requires input sessions and input from stakeholder groups as part of the plan buildout. However, as has been seen with the Beaty Street RFP, saying the Town wants public input and listening to and accepting that input can be very different things.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Monday, June 19, 2017
Our Town Cinemas looking to expand at Sadler Square
The plan proposed by ADW Architects would expand the theater in both directions to include the entire west side of the shopping center. According to the application, the nail spa and kitchen and bath design store would move to new spaces constructed on eastern side behind the dry cleaners and facing Waton Street.
See the below schematic for a layout.
The project would happen in 4 phases to enlarge the theater and concession area towards the back of the shopping center, build the new retail space facing Watson St for the existing tenants, then finshes off with more theater space after the existing tenants move to their new spaces.
Here are some elevations of how the new space would look.
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| Outdoor Concession Seating |
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| View from Watson St |
aShortChronicle contacted Bob Lauer of ADW to verify details for this post. Lauer is a principle with ADW Architects. He also is involved of the operation of Our Town. Lauer chairs the DRB, and as such he will not be voting on this proposal.
The DRB meeting is Wednesday 7pm at Town Hall.
It's a nice place to visit, but..
Uptown Charlotte can be an interesting place. Unlike some who don't ever enjoy heading into the city, yours truly doesn't mind it at all. I particularly like the "randomness" of it. It's stuff you don't see every day, and it's interesting.
Then I get to come home and enjoy what Davidson has to offer.
They are different places for a reason, and while Uptown Charlotte is a nice place to visit - as the saying goes - I wouldn't want to live there. So, for the life of me I can't understand why the leaders of "official Davidson" don't seem to get it. They seem shocked that people are upset, even angry, over what is happening with development and how fast it is happening.
Even more so, people are shocked at Davidson Town Hall being a facilitator, even instigator, of these changes (Catalyst Project, Griffith Street Hotel, RAP mass rezoning, Beaty Street RFP). People are tired of the condescending retorts about NIMBies or people wanting to pull up the drawbridge to keep people out when it comes to ideas emanating from Town Hall. Instead, the public wants a laser focus on protecting what Davidson has to offer rather than a seeming desire to make it into a mini Charlotte.
The people living here now who are fighting these changes, don't ever want to say about this town, "it's a nice place to visit, but...". Instead, they want to just want to make sure they can say, "it's a nice place to live".
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| Guy playing a random piano left on the street. |
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| Acrobat in a giant ring |
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| Kid playing bagpipes (he was really good) |
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| Giant pile of trash (now that's urban!) |
Then I get to come home and enjoy what Davidson has to offer.
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| Lemonade stands |
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| Cows off the back deck |
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| Wild blackberries picked right down the street |
Even more so, people are shocked at Davidson Town Hall being a facilitator, even instigator, of these changes (Catalyst Project, Griffith Street Hotel, RAP mass rezoning, Beaty Street RFP). People are tired of the condescending retorts about NIMBies or people wanting to pull up the drawbridge to keep people out when it comes to ideas emanating from Town Hall. Instead, the public wants a laser focus on protecting what Davidson has to offer rather than a seeming desire to make it into a mini Charlotte.
The people living here now who are fighting these changes, don't ever want to say about this town, "it's a nice place to visit, but...". Instead, they want to just want to make sure they can say, "it's a nice place to live".
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Scaled back DPD camera proposal gets green light
aShortChronicle told readers last week about a proposal by the Davidson Police Department to install cameras and licence plate readers around town.
On Tuesday the Board passed a slightly scaled back proposal to do just that. The proposal will place cameras and licence plate readers at the "ingress and egress" points around town which will allow the DPD to know who is coming and going to and from town whenever there is a crime. The original proposal also involved a few cameras internal to town, but those did not make the cut.
Here's the dollars and cents as presented on Tuesday by Town Manager Jamie Justice and Finance Director Pietre Swart.
On Tuesday the Board passed a slightly scaled back proposal to do just that. The proposal will place cameras and licence plate readers at the "ingress and egress" points around town which will allow the DPD to know who is coming and going to and from town whenever there is a crime. The original proposal also involved a few cameras internal to town, but those did not make the cut.
Here's the dollars and cents as presented on Tuesday by Town Manager Jamie Justice and Finance Director Pietre Swart.
The bulk of the funding comes from the existing FY2017 DPD budget as well as FY2017 contingency funds set aside by the Town for just such things that come up during the year. Only $20k is being pulled from the town savings (aka fund balance).
During Commissioner comments, Commissioner Graham referenced the recent break in off Davidson Concord Rd as an example where this tool could be useful, noting its ability to let investigators know who is entering town at 4:30 in the morning. Commissioner Fuller, who had initially expressed reservations with the cameras when the idea was presented in May, relayed that after having met with Chief Miller and senior DPD members, Steve Ingram and Jay Stokes, he had changed his opinion and had his civil liberties concerns largely addressed.
After Commissioner Fuller motioned to approve the camera budget amendment, it passed unanimously 4-0 with Commissioner Cashion absent. No date for the project implementation was set.
Thursday, June 15, 2017
2nd non-incumbent announces plans to run for Davidson's Board
Two years ago, Davidson resident Michael Angell ran for Davidson's Board as the only challenger to a full slate of incumbents. Angell came up short in 2015 but he appears ready to try again this year. In a Wednesday announcement on Facebook Angell had this to say:
Fellow citizens of Davidson. After all the shenanigans at town hall over the last few months, I simply cannot take anymore. I have decided to run for Commissioner of Davidson. My platform can be distilled to "Transparency and Trees." The sudden explosion of growth around Davidson will ruin our town if we do not continue to take steps in preventing the development of every parcel of land. The citizens of Davidson deserve their voice to be heard about the new Town Hall so funding MUST come from a bond referendum. The wishes for Beatty Street MUST be upheld. The apartment building on Potts street MUST be stopped. The Town MUST find a way to get out of the money draining MI Connection.
About me:
NOT a developer
NOT someone who would benefit from growing residential housing.
I am a retired Army veteran that adopted Davidson as my home town when my wife and children settled here during my deployment to Iraq. They remained here while I finished the last 7 years to retirement in 2011. I fell in love with this town and am determined to keep it from becoming over developed.
Thanks for those of you who supported me two years ago. We were very close to removing one tou the commissioners. This is the year we start to take back our town.
Angell makes some strong statements in this announcement that likely ring true with many voters - covering several hot button issues. What is unsaid is that the commissioner who Angell came closest to removing last time was Commissioner Brian Jenest. Commissioner Jenest's firm also happens to be involved in the Potts Street appartmemts Angle mentions specifically.
Could that be a first shot across the bow this election cycle? We will have to wait and see, but with filing just around the corner we won't have to wait too long.
Could that be a first shot across the bow this election cycle? We will have to wait and see, but with filing just around the corner we won't have to wait too long.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Davidson names new Chief of Police: Penny Dunn
From Davidson Town Hall press release:
The Town of Davidson is pleased to name Penny Dunn as the new Davidson Police Chief to replace Jeanne Miller upon her retirement. Dunn will start on July 19th.
The Town of Davidson conducted an eight-month nationwide police chief recruitment process with the assistance of consultant U.S. ISS. We held meetings with over 50 community members, the board of commissioners, the police department, and staff to develop a comprehensive departmental profile to outline the type of person we were seeking for this role. We received 110 applications, and with the help of staff and our consultant, narrowed the field to three finalists through interviews and assessments. In May, the town held a comprehensive two-day assessment center consisting of community, professional, police, and staff interview panels.
Penny Dunn started her law enforcement career in 1986 and has served with the San Marcos (Texas) Police Department since 1989 where she currently serves as assistant police chief. Dunn’s experience in law enforcement includes work in several areas including criminal investigation; day and night shift and specialized unit (including the K-9 unit) command; narcotics; employee recruitment; and cold case investigation.
Dunn received her bachelor of applied arts and sciences from Texas State University and became a Certified Public Manager in 2011. Dunn has been recognized for her public service by receiving numerous awards.
“I look forward to relocating to the area to join the Davidson Police Department and being part of the Davidson community,” said incoming Police Chief Penny Dunn. “I have spent some time with Chief Jeanne Miller to transition into the role and recognize how she has transformed the department – she has such pride in the department and town.”
“We have worked diligently in a national search environment to find the right person to succeed Jeanne Miller as police chief,” said Town Manager Jamie Justice. “We welcome Penny into this role and believe her experience and personality make her an excellent fit for the position. I look forward to introducing her when she arrives.”
The Town of Davidson is pleased to name Penny Dunn as the new Davidson Police Chief to replace Jeanne Miller upon her retirement. Dunn will start on July 19th.
The Town of Davidson conducted an eight-month nationwide police chief recruitment process with the assistance of consultant U.S. ISS. We held meetings with over 50 community members, the board of commissioners, the police department, and staff to develop a comprehensive departmental profile to outline the type of person we were seeking for this role. We received 110 applications, and with the help of staff and our consultant, narrowed the field to three finalists through interviews and assessments. In May, the town held a comprehensive two-day assessment center consisting of community, professional, police, and staff interview panels.
Penny Dunn started her law enforcement career in 1986 and has served with the San Marcos (Texas) Police Department since 1989 where she currently serves as assistant police chief. Dunn’s experience in law enforcement includes work in several areas including criminal investigation; day and night shift and specialized unit (including the K-9 unit) command; narcotics; employee recruitment; and cold case investigation.
Dunn received her bachelor of applied arts and sciences from Texas State University and became a Certified Public Manager in 2011. Dunn has been recognized for her public service by receiving numerous awards.
“I look forward to relocating to the area to join the Davidson Police Department and being part of the Davidson community,” said incoming Police Chief Penny Dunn. “I have spent some time with Chief Jeanne Miller to transition into the role and recognize how she has transformed the department – she has such pride in the department and town.”
“We have worked diligently in a national search environment to find the right person to succeed Jeanne Miller as police chief,” said Town Manager Jamie Justice. “We welcome Penny into this role and believe her experience and personality make her an excellent fit for the position. I look forward to introducing her when she arrives.”
Roundup of Tuesday's Beaty Street RFP protest media coverage
Here is an interview with Save Davidson activist Donna Pollack on WBT radio during the evening drive.
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| WBT Radio link |
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| WCCB Coverage |
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| Fox46 Coverage |
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| WCNC Coverage |
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| Spectrum News |
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