Lowell

Pump Track at George Poston Park

Lowell Numbers

Population: 3,716* Land Area: 2.7 square miles Tax Rate: 43¢ per $100 valuation Median Household Income: $53,810** Median Housing Value: $117,700** Total Housing Units: 1,433** High School Graduate or Higher: 80.5%** Average Travel Time To Work: 25.2 Minutes**

Sources: https://censusreporter.org, US Census - *Vintage 2019 Population Estimates; **2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates

BY PENELOPE McCLENNY

eekly wind-downs at downtown hang-outs and localW leaders that work well together are helping the City of Lowell grow while maintaining its small-town charm. “It’s real important that you can work closely, that everybody meshes, that you can work as a team,” Mayor Sandy Railey said. A key step in that direction included hiring a new city manager with strong local ties, she said. In late 2020, the city named Scott Attaway, who previously served as planning director, to the municipality’s top post. “It’s probably one of the best things that could ever happen,” Railey said of Attaway, who had worked closely under Lowell’s previous manager. Successfully managing and planning for future growth is a top priority for the city’s administration and leaders. While the pandemic presented its own challenges for supporting local businesses and keeping residents healthy and safe, new construction continued to thrive in existing neighborhoods. “We’re getting hit up a good bit from smaller developers

and contractors,” Attaway said, listing plans for nearly 50 townhomes and more than 100 single family residences in existing subdivisions. “We’re seeing the infill development continue.” To support this growth, Lowell has added two additional positions for police officers and is working on a master plan for its parks and recreation department. While plans are already in place to add a segment to the Carolina Thread Trail, Attaway said the pandemic highlighted the need for maintaining and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities. “What the pandemic showed us is that we don’t have enough recreation in this country,” he said, adding that an important component of the plan will include maintenance of existing facilities. “How to take care of what you’ve got is one of the important things for Mayor Sandy Railey my council to see once we get this completed,” Attaway said. For indoor activities, the city has plans to renovate the bottom floor of the community center. Located just down the street from city hall and adjacent to Bob Bolick Park, the center is an affordable rental option for birthday parties, family reunions, baby showers and other mid-sized social gatherings and events, Railey said. “I’m just excited about getting that done,” she said. “It’s going to be a really nice facility.” City leaders are also working with Gaston County officials to provide increased pedestrian and ADA access at the local library branch. While Lowell may often be abuzz with a busy slate of upcoming projects, local businesses also provide plenty of options for taking a break and visiting with neighbors and friends. One local café, for example, worked to provide a safe outdoor gathering place during the pandemic that developed into a popular weekly routine for many. “Fryeday Coffee Roasters has been a relief for a lot of people,” Attaway said, speaking of the business’ weekly live music schedule. “That was pretty good to coast us through and get people downtown.” For Railey, weekly visits to downtown offered both a chance for the busy mayor to unwind and catch-up. “It’s so neat to go there, sit out back, listen to the music and talk and have a few drinks,” she said. “It’s like you can meet with your friends and figure out what’s going on.” a

GATEWAY85

A new 365-acre site in Lowell and Gastonia is being developed with 3.6 million square feet of industrial space. Located along I-85, the GATEWAY 85 project involves the partnership of two municipalities and various agencies in Gaston County. Construction is well underway at the site with tenant space expected to be available by the end of 2021. When completed, it will be one of the largest industrial parks in the Charlotte region.

Live Music At Fryeday Coffee Roasters