Kinston council approves Maceo Parker Way, advances sewer grant hearing

A street honoring famed musician and Kinston native Maceo Parker will become official Oct. 1 after action by the Kinston City Council during its Tuesday meeting.

Springhill Street will be renamed Maceo Parker Way, a decision that drew comments from Parker’s family during the public hearing. Family members thanked the city for recognizing Parker’s legacy and spoke about his lifelong connection to Kinston.

City officials said the location is fitting because it is near the music park and will be among the first street signs visitors see when entering town on Queen Street. The Oct. 1 effective date gives property owners time to make address changes and allows the city to notify the post office and county before new signs are installed.

The meeting also moved forward a proposed Washington Avenue sewer rehabilitation project. Staff received authorization to hold a Sept. 15 public hearing on an application for Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure funding.

The project is estimated at about $3.3 million, with the city seeking $3 million in grant funding. Work would focus on East Washington Avenue between North Independence Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and would include replacing about 7,200 linear feet of 8-inch sewer line, 35 manholes and 130 sewer services.

Staff said required income surveys have been completed and that the project would benefit low- to moderate-income residents. Officials also emphasized that the work would not displace or relocate residents.

Questions from council members included whether manholes would be level with the road surface after construction. Staff said that issue would be addressed during pre-construction meetings and inspections if the city receives the funding.

Public safety funding also came up during the meeting. Kinston Police Chief Keith Goyette discussed a $14,570 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The award will be split evenly between the Kinston Police Department and the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, with each receiving $7,285. Kinston’s share will be used to purchase ballistic panels.

Goyette said the department regularly applies for the grant and has already submitted for the next funding cycle. He also noted that the department is applying for a separate $99,000 grant focused on gang violence and youth mentorship.

In fleet maintenance, the city approved the purchase of a new 80,000-pound truck lift from AutoTech Solutions for $152,498.78 plus tax. The existing lift is a 1988 model with a 66,000-pound capacity and is the only one available for large city vehicles such as dump trucks and vacuum trucks. The city had budgeted $226,000 for the replacement.

Finance Director Donna Goodson presented a fiscal year 2026-27 operating budget amendment addressing higher-than-expected vehicle insurance premiums, debt proceeds tied to vehicle purchases, a $2,000 donation to the fire department for public education materials and a salary adjustment for an employee who took on cemetery administration duties.

The amendment increases the general fund budget by $59,040. Other changes include increases of $3,500 in the water fund, $1,160 in the electric fund, $2,350 in the environmental services fund, $3,630 in the stormwater fund and $5,770 in the public services fund.

The Mother Earth Ironclad Half Marathon and 5K also received approval for Oct. 17 from 7:30 to 11 a.m. The race will start and end at Grainger Stadium. Goyette said the event will require temporary road closures and support from 42 law enforcement officers and deputies, with roads expected to reopen shortly after runners pass through.

Planning Director Elizabeth Blount provided an update on the corridor demolition program, a partnership with Lenoir County focused on unsafe or blighted properties along major highways and gateways into Kinston. Seven properties are included in the county-led effort, including sites on East New Bern Road, U.S. 11-55, West New Bern Road and South Queen Street.

Several properties are awaiting asbestos testing or updated demolition bids, while others are under timelines for owner repairs or self-demolition. Blount said the city also is continuing its internal cleanup effort, with 14 properties in a 60-day repair or demolition period ending Sept. 22. Staff has not heard from owners of 77 additional properties and plans to advertise before bringing any demolition requests back to council.

Leon Steele, director of Downtown Kinston Revitalization, presented an update on 40 years of downtown revitalization, comparing the period from 1984 to 2017 with progress since 2018.

Steele said downtown has gained momentum through stronger marketing, new residential units, the Queen Street redesign, the social district, private investment in lighting and gateway projects, and more than 44 downtown buildings sold in the last decade.

The next challenge, Steele said, is managing growth. He pointed to a shortage of quality leasable retail space, growing demand for workforce and market-rate apartments and increased interest from entrepreneurs and developers. Suggested priorities included recruiting destination dining, a small conference facility, wedding-related businesses, a shoe repair shop and more activity on South Queen Street.

City officials also recognized Kinston’s receipt of three Public Power Awards of Excellence from ElectriCities. The awards honored the city in categories tied to future-focused work, public power strength and staff readiness.

During citizen comments, residents raised concerns about public communication, the placement of citizen comments at the end of council meetings, access to sign-up sheets, the city’s public information efforts, the Kinston Housing Authority and conditions affecting residents in public housing.

Homelessness and panhandling were also discussed. Goyette said panhandling itself is not illegal, but assault, harassment, trespassing and aggressive behavior can be enforced. He said officers have been checking parks after hours and trying to connect people with services when possible, including a recent case involving a homeless veteran.

Council members said mental health resources are part of the larger issue. Goyette said the city is willing to assist, but addressing homelessness and mental health requires coordination with county, regional and state partners.

The meeting ended with council voting to enter closed session to discuss personnel matters and attorney-client privilege.