Town of Mooresville to Host Secretary of N.C. DEQ May 3, 2023 After Receiving $3.9 Million Grant for Local Stormwater Project
The Town of Mooresville will welcome Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Elizabeth Biser and team on May 3, 2023 to tour the East Center Avenue Stormwater Improvements Project. DEQ’s Division of Water Infrastructure recently awarded the Town of Mooresville a $3.9 million grant for the project.
The East Center Avenue Stormwater Improvements Project will add a new storm drainage system on East Center Avenue, from North Church Street to Statesville Avenue; replace the East Center Avenue culvert; replace the East McLelland Avenue culvert; and add green infrastructure stormwater control measures beside the stream. The project will reduce localized flooding in the area and integrate nature-based solutions to connect trails to the downstream Willow Valley Park and Nature Preserve.
A previously completed Stormwater Master Plan of the Dye Creek Watershed identified areas needing improvements due to flooding and the condition or lack of stormwater infrastructure. This project encompasses multiple projects identified in that Master Plan. The Town applied for funding through the NC Division of Water Infrastructure’s Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments Program (LASII).
DEQ awarded the Town of Mooresville $3.9 million for the East Center Avenue Stormwater Improvements Project. Secretary Biser and her team will visit Mooresville on May 3, 2023 to tour the project area.
“We are excited to welcome Secretary Biser and show her how this grant will improve the Willow Valley area and Eastern Heights neighborhood,” said Project Manager Ashton Walker. “Historically, flooding has been an issue in the general area. The Town has completed multiple smaller scale projects along the corridor which have improved the flooding. The East Center Avenue Stormwater Improvements Project will fill in the gap and correct the last major segment of issues in this area.”
Residents of Mooresville are encouraged to attend the press conference at 10: 30 a.m. on May 3, 2023. Secretary Biser, Mayor Miles Atkins, Commissioners, and other Town officials will speak about the project and answer questions.
About the Project Area: The Eastern Heights neighborhood was Mooresville’s first planned community, first developed in the 1920s. It quickly became home to business owners, mill executives, lawyers, doctors, a wide variety of businesses, and eventually Lowrance Hospital (currently the Iredell County Government Center South) and Mooresville High School.
Willow Valley Park is a key component to the Eastern Heights neighborhood and is adjacent to Willow Valley Cemetery. Willow Valley was created in 1885 as the first official cemetery for the Town. Many of the graves of earlier residents of the Town can still be seen today, including the grave of one of the Town’s founders John Franklin Moore. Today, Willow Valley is one of several Town-owned cemeteries.
About the North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure LASII Funding: The N.C. Division of Water Infrastructure awarded approximately $82 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for stormwater projects through its competitive funding process from the new Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments program. Funds were available for cities, counties, regional councils of government and nonprofit partners for construction and planning projects that improve or create infrastructure for controlling stormwater quantity and quality. For more information, click here.
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