Ahead of public hearing and bond decision, Davidson starts sales pitch on new Public Facilities plan

As the plan for putting a $16 million GO bond on the ballot plods forward, Davidson Town Hall is ramping up the sales machine for a new Davidson Town Hall.

With two events planned for this week citizens will be able to get more information on the projects to remake the old IB Middle School on South Street into a new Town Hall and CMS offices and to upgrade public safety facilities in the current Town Hall on Main Street.

From the press release put out by the Town:

Citizens are invited to learn about and provide input on our current public facilities proposal to renovate the former IB school on South Street for a new town hall an1.685md renovate our existing town hall for the police and fire departments on the following dates:

• Thursday, July 19 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.: Open house and ice cream social at the former IB school located at 215 South Street.
• Saturday, July 21 and Saturday, August 11 from 9:00 a.m. to noon: Visit our table at the Davidson Farmer’s Market

At the open house, you’ll get to:

• Tour the building to see how it will be renovated,
• See plans for each floor, as well as renovation plans for our existing town hall
• Listen to former Davidson College Archivist Jan Blodgett share the history of the site (5:00, 5:30, 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium),
• Post your memories of the school (Were you are student there? Did one of your kids go there? Did you teach there?) on a big poster,
• Enjoy Whit’s Frozen Custard and iced tea, and
• Speak with your elected officials and town staff to share your feedback or fill out a comment card

The public hearing on whether or not to put this to a vote in a November referendum will be next Tuesday, 7/24 with the final vote to put it on the ballot on 8/14.  If this does make it on the ballot the Town will have to be careful that these types of events don't cross the line into "promoting" bond approval.  That would be prohibited.  However, for now these events are within bounds.

Citizens should take these opportunities to learn about these projects which will impact town finances for years to come.  Then they can decide if they are worth the cost.