Kinston City Council tables mill redevelopment, approves hazard mitigation and recreation plans
The Kinston City Council met Tuesday, Sept. 2, working through a packed agenda that included a proposed redevelopment of the former Glen Raven Mill, updates to city and county recreation planning, and several major infrastructure purchases.
Developer agreement tabled
The meeting opened with a public hearing on a proposed developer agreement with smART Kinston Foundation for the 12-acre Glen Raven Mill site at 800 Manning St. While members expressed support for the organization, they raised concerns about limited details, funding commitments and the scope of redevelopment plans. The council voted to table the agreement until additional information is provided.
Hazard mitigation plan adopted
Council unanimously approved the updated Neuse River Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The five-county plan, covering Lenoir, Greene, Jones, Pitt and Wayne, identifies risks such as flooding, hurricanes, drought and wildfires and outlines steps to reduce community vulnerability. Adoption is required for the city to remain eligible for state and federal disaster recovery funds.
Parks and recreation master plan approved
Next the council members adopted the Kinston–Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Master Plan, a joint 10-year roadmap developed with McGill Associates. The plan emphasizes maintaining and upgrading existing facilities, addressing aging gyms and playgrounds, expanding trails and greenways, and ensuring long-term investment in both city and county parks.
Roof replacement contract awarded
Council awarded MB Roofing of Rocky Mount a $374,454 contract to install a membrane roof system over the existing metal roof at the Kinston Public Services Complex. The warehouse and fleet maintenance building had been plagued by leaks, and the new roof will carry a 20-year warranty.
New garbage trucks approved
The governing body approved the purchase of two rear-loader garbage trucks from Lilley International for $601,288, including taxes and tags. The new trucks will replace 2007 and 2008 models that have required costly annual repairs. Delivery is expected within nine months.
Tax incentive policy partnership
Council authorized Mayor Don Hardy to sign a memorandum of understanding with Lenoir County adopting a joint tax incentive program for downtown redevelopment. The policy will provide property tax reimbursements for projects that create at least three new jobs and invest in revitalizing downtown buildings.
Emma Webb Park update
Recreation Director Scott Alston reported progress on renovations at Emma Webb Park. Completed work includes a new splash pad, playground, basketball court, amphitheater stage, and roof repairs. The city is planning additional lighting, signage, and walkways, with a ribbon-cutting anticipated in late October.
Council concluded with updates from the city manager and attorney before entering closed session.
Neuse News is an independent, locally-owned startup based in downtown Kinston. We’re committed to providing free, hyper-local news across Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties—the kind of stories that matter most, delivered in a format built for today.
We don't charge subscriptions. Instead, we rely on readers like you—and the businesses that serve our community. When you shop local, dine local, and click on our sponsor ads, you help us keep real journalism free and accessible.
NC Political Ads Top Ad NC Political Ads Bottom Ad
Are you tired of being bombarded by paywalls and pop-up ads when trying to read the news? Do you believe that access to reliable political news should be free and accessible to everyone? Then we urge you to support NC Political News, a weekly electronic political news outlet.
NC Political News is committed to providing high-quality, unbiased political reporting with columnists from all political sides. Unlike other news outlets, NC Political News is free to read and supported by businesses who purchase ad space on our website and in our newsletter, which goes out Monday through Friday at 7:00 am. This means that readers like you can access the news without being asked to pay a cent or dealing with frustrating advertisements.
However, to continue providing this valuable service, NC Political News needs your support. If you believe in the importance of accessible, free news, we urge you to click the image below. Any amount of support is appreciated.
Together, we can keep the news free and help ensure our state stays informed and connected.
