The Town of Hope Mills Interim Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin presented his Manager's Report to the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners regular meeting held on Sept. 18, 2023. 

The town later released a summary of the report online for residents to keep them up to date with real estate and other development state projects happening throughout the Town. 

Some of the highlights include: 

Commercial Projects: 

Wawa: 

The initial zoning to the C(P) district was recently approved by the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners. The project is now being prepared for submission of a site plan approval

through the Development Review process as it proceeds towards construction. The site is located at 5840 Chickenfoot Road.

Valvoline Oil: Final inspections and site walk throughs have been completed for Valvoline Oil at 4310 Legion Road. The project is anticipated to receive the final certificate of occupancy soon as staff is working with the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce to plan a ribbon cutting.

Dollar Tree: Staff has initiated an initial zoning request for a Dollar Tree retail store after the approval of the annexation by the Board of Commissioners on Aug.7, 2023. The initial zoning is set to be considered by the Cumberland County Planning Board on Oct. 17, 2023.

Residential Projects: 

The One Apartments: With roughly $250,000 in permit fees paid, staff anticipates construction to begin shortly.

Georgetown Estates: Single-family residential construction is still underway in the latest phase of construction. The Public Works department is working with the builder to coordinate street

acceptance of the previously completed phase of construction.

Sheffield Farms: The Public Works Department is working with the builder to coordinate street acceptance of phase 5 of the development. Initial zoning of phase 6 is underway. 

Town Projects: 

Hope Mills Municipal Park Splash Pad: Field verifications by the contractor are complete with McAdams currently revising the engineering plans for submission to PWC for final approval.

Heritage Park: Staff is still working with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) who is completing the final review of the completed Archeological Data Recovery findings. Once released, the project will be authorized for bid to begin construction.

Hope Mills Sports Complex at Golfview: Hope Mills Parks & Recreation staff is currently reviewing updated renderings for Concept C which is the preferred option unanimously approved by the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners.

You can read the full Town Manager’s Report here. 

Interim Town Manager McLaughlin also announced the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Heritage Park scheduled for Friday, Oct.r 6, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at  5445 Lakeview Road in Hope Mills. 

According to a press release from the Town, the site of one of the Town's historic mills will be redeveloped into a passive park that provides yet another place for Hope Mills residents to enjoy as officials continue to strive to increase the quality of life of citizens.

“2023 has been a busy year for the Town of Hope Mills as many milestones have been reached, from the Grand Opening of the John W. Hodges Public Safety Center to the Ribbon Cutting for Reid’s Journey Inclusive Playground at Hope Mills Municipal Park. These projects have been years in the making and Heritage Park is no different,” reads the press release in part. 

Interim Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin was quoted in the press release as saying: “The development is a major milestone for the Town of Hope Mills as it allows the Town to preserve its history in a way that is educational while providing citizens with yet another park & recreation facility. The park, which will be more passive in nature, will tell the rich story of one of the strongest mill communities that once thrived in the heart of Cumberland County”.

The preservation of mill village history will also be evident by the inclusion of a historical gate and flume from a previous dam. The plan for the over 7-acre site includes a comfort/restroom station, nature trails, a kayak/canoe launch, interpretative signs, an open lawn space to allow for events, an outdoor classroom, shelters, and ample parking.

You can read the full press release announcing the groundbreaking for the park here.