Mayor Clark and Board:

In just a few short days, you will make perhaps the most profound rezoning decision you have made during this term - whether to approve Phase II Improvements for Birkdale Village. I am aware in the last three months you have received perhaps as many as 50-100 emails, perhaps phone calls, some threatening or intimidating in nature, trying to bully you into a position. This coming Tuesday, I have no doubt 50 people may try to cram into council chambers in front of the media, again trying to intimidate you into a position that may be counter to your thoughts.

Over the last 18 months, I have gotten to know many of you really well. It would be naïve for me to say we walk the same paths politically. I think you all know I have always considered myself a business conservative and moderate on social issues but ultimately – a Republican.  All seven of you on the dais are Democrats. But I say this in complete and unveiled honesty -   I am 100 % certain each of you wants what is best for this town. Whether you walk away in December – or are re-elected this November – your ultimate goal is to leave Huntersville better than you found it and the decisions you are making will have a lasting legacy for your kids and the next generation.

I say this not just as president of the chamber of commerce – but one of your local Huntersville citizens: you have made the tough decisions that some boards kicked down the road. I have been impressed with your integrity, your business approach, your common sense, and your commitment to our future. There are some in our community who do not want Birkdale to change. Well, the truth is – every day we change. It may surprise many of you to know that John Kennedy was and remains a political inspiration to me and President Kennedy said in 1963, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future."  The truth is - -without Phase II and these changes- the Birkdale we have loved – which has been an inspiration to mixed used projects across the nation will start to recede in quality tenants. The star will most certainly fade.

As I mentioned a week ago - Jamestown is looking at making a $200 Million investment in the property.

Among the amenities is desperately needed parking, a hotel and conference center, and class A office space so people can work where they live and be less dependent on their automobile.

Some may say we have a vacancy in office space and people are working from home.  Well, that was the case during Covid but now companies are requiring workers back to work. And the simple thing is – we don’t presently have this type of Class A space in North Meck.

Bottom line is this project is supported by your 2024 plan, will add $200,000 in additional property tax to the town, create an estimated $212 million in estimated annual employment benefits and $15 million in new resident / worker spending.

In simple economics – this is a great investment in the town and our future as a community.  There are people in Huntersville – people who I consider friends who are trying to use this project to create a “political wedge” issue – it shouldn’t be. As John Foster put more eloquently than me – anyone talking about traffic on Sam Furr – well, that’s a Raleigh issue – not a Town Hall issue.  You as a Commissioner must decide whether to give into the status quo or vote for the future – and with it change and improvements to Birkdale.

I want to leave you with this thought: Even if 200… 300 people criticize your decision – you represent nearly 70,000 citizens and in just a few short years in 2030 – 80,000.  Also, Birkdale Village doesn’t just belong to Huntersville – it is a regional destination for Cornelius, Davidson, North Charlotte, Denver that last year alone drew FIVE MILLION Visitors!

Here is the last thing I know. None of you sitting at that dais is new to intimidation or being bullied. The Chamber unanimously supports these changes and I hope you will vote to support it next week. But in the end – I simply hope you vote what’s in your heart and put the interest of the whole community first instead of a small group of vocal critics.

Thank you so much for allowing me to share my view.

Bill