Town buys EnergyUnited property; concert on the grass Saturday – Davie County Enterprise Record

By Jeanna White

Word Master Media Group

There will be a concert Saturday evening featuring Envision on the grassy area owned by The Town of Mocksville at Sanford Avenue and Salisbury Street.

You read that right.

The town now owns the property, 5.08 acres recently purchased from EnergyUnited for $1,985,000, paid for by a state grant. The town will soon begin soliciting ideas from residents for its best uses to encourage downtown development and expansion.

The property stretches north from Sanford Avenue along S. Salisbury St., ending behind Cognition. It excludes the Davie County Chamber Chamber of Commerce, Davie Community Foundation, and Cognition buildings.

The town now owns the Energy United Education Center (3,102 SF) and the former Energy United business office (4,833 SF), as well as the sites of Junker’s Mill and the old cotton gin.

The town secured a grant covering the purchase price and additional funds to remodel the education center, which will serve as an overflow location for town board meetings and a training center.

“This was a huge win for our community,” Town Manager Ken Gamble said, noting that the existing residential area, businesses, and government buildings have constrained downtown growth.

“The board believes that this is a unique opportunity to expand our downtown with facilities/amenities that will be a draw to our community for years to come. Not having to raise taxes or secure debt will allow us to have a robust vision of what we can do with the property. We are at the very beginning of the planning process and will consider all ideas to determine what will best suit our needs and growing population.”

The town’s interest in the property goes back to 2019 when the Town and Davie County Economic Development engaged the UNC School of Government Development Finance Initiative (DFI)  to study the 1.34 acre Junker’s Mill site.

EnergyUnited decided in 2021 to place the entire 5.08 acres on the market, but the purchase price was outside of what the town was willing to consider. The town also had serious concerns regarding the condition of the Junker’s Mill and old cotton gin buildings, Gamble said.

Energy United ended up demolishing both buildings. The town began negotiations with EnergyUnited in late 2023 and closed on the property this month.

In the short term, the town will lease the fenced-in pole yard to Energy United and allow them continued access to the Education Center for training sessions.

The purchase aligns well with the town’s comprehensive plan developed in 2019 to guide future expansion and revitalization efforts and create an even more lively, pedestrian-friendly destination for town residents and out-of-town visitors, Gamble said.

Back then, respondents to a community survey indicated that their top four priorities were reusing old buildings, downtown development, housing development, and parks and recreation.

Per the town’s comprehensive plan, some potential uses for the property include:

• an indoor event center;

• farmer’s market;

• a public art gallery and theater;

• second- and third-story apartments; and

• new townhomes and live-work units.

“The Energy United parcel makes up a large portion of our Downtown Mocksville footprint. It is rare for a municipality to have the opportunity to control the development of this much vacant land in the downtown area,” Mocksville Mayor Will Marklin said. “We look forward to hearing our citizens’ ideas for future development and working with a consultant who specializes in attracting private developers. Through conservative fiscal planning and a strong vision for the future – the town leaders have been able to plant this seed that future citizens of our great town will enjoy in the years ahead.

“I am looking forward to all the possibilities before us in the town of Mocksville.”

Gamble agreed: “The long-term vision for the property will be very intentional. We are eager to hear from our valued community members, staff, and consultants on the best long-term uses for this property. We will also look at what other communities have done in their downtowns and see if any of those examples resonate with this acreage and space.”

He anticipates that the development process will take a year or two to determine the best use for the property. “We want to ensure that the final plans are consistent with the board’s vision for downtown and fit the community’s needs.”

While the town will develop a formal survey and offer public comment opportunities moving forward, Gamble invites the community to begin sharing their ideas with him at kgamble@mocksvillenc.gov or by leaving a message at 336-753-6701.

Envision Here Saturday

Back to Saturday’s concert.

EnVision will perform from 7-10 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and an appetite.  Eric & K’s BBQ will serve up barbecue and soul food, and for a cool, refreshing treat, Jason’s Italian Ice will be on hand.

Coolers will be allowed.

If you have any questions or need more information, contact the town at 336-753-6701.