Top Stories for Aug. 8, 2024
Mecklenburg County provides this weekly rundown of top stories from the Board of County Commissioners meetings and the Public Information Department’s newsroom. The Board met on Wednesday, Aug. 7. The agenda is available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.
1. County Manager to Retire: Mecklenburg County Manager Dena R. Diorio announced to the Board of County Commissioners and to County employees her retirement effective July 1, 2025. Diorio is serving her 11th year in the role. She began in 2013 as Mecklenburg County’s first female County Manager, and previously served since 2007 as Chief Financial Officer. “It has been the honor of my life to serve the residents and employees of Mecklenburg County,” said Diorio. “It has always been my goal to leave an organization better than I found it. I truly believe that’s our situation.”
2. Rebuilding Brooklyn: The Board heard an update on the development of Brooklyn Village in Charlotte’s 2nd Ward neighborhood. BK Partners, the company with whom the County has partnered and conveyed Phase 1 property in 2023, has announced that construction is delayed. In its presentation, BK Partners pointed to several challenges affecting development in Charlotte:
- Unfavorable economic conditions
- Increased interest rates
- Stricter capital funding criteria
Progress by BK Partners incudes the demolition of the Bob Walton Plaza building; removal of asphalt, curbs and lights; grading; and construction of water and sewer infrastructure.
3. Arts for All: The Board approved a $9,035,000 contract with the Arts, Science, and Cultural Council to provide programming over the next year that supports artists and cultural organizations. The agreement includes an increase in County dollars of $5.5 million over last year as part of a strategy to create a sustainable funding stream for the arts. The new funding will support arts organizations outside of the City of Charlotte, grants to support existing arts education programs, and venue assistance. The money will also support a series of programs including Culture Blocks, cultural vision grants, fellowships, technical assistance, and business operating support.
4. Planning a New Park: Park and Recreation will host an information session for the new Eastfield Park, now under design in the northern part of Mecklenburg County. The new park will occupy 114 acres of County-owned land on Eastfield Road near Huntersville. The information session will be held Tuesday, Aug. 13 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Highland Creek Golf Course clubhouse. The Phase 1 Master Plan developed from previous input will be available for residents to view and comment on. To view the project and learn more, visit PublicInput.com/Eastfield.
5. Celebrating Pride: The Board celebrates and supports Pride events in Mecklenburg County by proclaiming July 13 – 21 as Charlotte Black Pride Week, and Aug. 9 – 18 as Charlotte Pride Week. Charlotte Black Pride was founded in 2005 and Charlotte Pride was founded in 2000, inspired by national events since 1969 and local Pride events since 1981. The Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade, to be held Aug. 17 and 18, is the largest LGBTQ community event in the southeast, second only to Atlanta, and the largest annual parade in Mecklenburg County, contributing millions of dollars in economic impact each year.