Group works to improve historically Black neighborhood near Cornelius, while keeping charm

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Neighbors in a historically Black neighborhood near Cornelius are fighting to keep its character alive.

A group in Smithville has been pushing for affordable house and preservation of existing properties in their area. Channel 9 has learned some of that funding has been approved.

Activists want to keep the charm and character of Smithville, but recognize the need to renovate.

The Smithfield Community Coalition has a request into the Town of Cornelius for $6.6 million in American Rescue Plan funds. The group will learn this summer whether that will become a reality.

Supporters are pushing for improvements to aging infrastructure and sewage and fund to create 200 units of workforce housing.

They marched more than half a mile to town hall Monday night to get leaders’ attention. They call their fight part of an anti-displacement and anti-gentrification strategy.

“You have an old neighborhood with quite a number of seniors and quite old housing stock. So that’s part of what we want to protect -- the people in those houses -- but also the historic character of Smithville,” said Willie Jones, a board member of the Smithfield Community Coalition.

The group is celebrating baby steps toward their goal.

In March, Mecklenburg County approved $3 million in COVID-19 relief money. The Smithfield Community Coalition said those funds will go toward acquiring vacant land in the community as part of the revitalization plan.

(WATCH BELOW: Residents worry NCDOT project will cut historically black neighborhood in half)

Residents worry NCDOT project will cut historically black neighborhood in half Residents worry NCDOT project will cut historically black neighborhood in half

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