New projects slated for downtown Albemarle bring new potential to Stanly County

Nestled in the center of Stanly County and just under an hour away from Charlotte, the City of Albemarle and its historic downtown are in the midst of a transformation.

As recent growth in the metro area has increased the population in Stanly County, officials in Albemarle are intentionally planning for that growth and making changes that will allow downtown Albemarle to become a pedestrian-friendly tourist and business destination.

"The physical changes that are happening now are very exciting. The four-story addition of the Pfeiffer University satellite campus is obviously the most noticeable, but also it has spurred the redevelopment of existing buildings that have been vacant for quite some time," said Joy Almond, main street manager for the City of Albemarle. "The Albemarle Hotel is one of the buildings that is being rehabilitated into apartments, and that's going to be a game-changer because we haven't had residents actually living in the heart of downtown for a very long time. Having those eyes and ears on our downtown district 24/7 is going to be huge for the businesses there."

With the new 282-acre Albemarle Business Center industrial park helping to lead the charge for further growth alongside additions like the Pfeiffer satellite campus, Albemarle is well positioned for significant growth.

While the streets of downtown Albemarle were quiet for the past few years, this isn't the first time the historic district has been a popular destination. In fact, the town used to be quite the hot spot just under a century ago.

"Some of the missing pieces to return Albemarle to the vibrant downtown that it one time was are currently in the works. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, the town had three movie theaters — so it must have been a happening place," said Keith Tunnell, economic development director for the City of Albemarle. "We just want to return it to that former glory, when people came to Albemarle to shop, dine, and to be entertained."

The renovation of the Albemarle Hotel and the former Lowder Hardware building will bring additional residential units to downtown, and as the Pfeiffer campus begins to increase offerings, both Almond and Tunnell anticipate a larger student and young professional population in the area — a demographic which downtown Albemarle hasn't seen much of before.

With that new demographic also comes new, unique opportunities to attract them, and the city is taking care to plan proactively for ways to keep them engaged.

"The Pfeiffer University Health Center will bring in at least 270 students within the next 24 months, and those are more master's degree level students who will likely be looking for housing near the center," said Tunnell. "We have a new brewery that will probably go under contract soon. We already have some entertainment venues, such as an axe throwing business, and there are a few other venues that we're looking at adding, like a boutique hotel franchise."

Added Almond: "We have new property managers on several properties on one downtown commercial strip, so there have been some changes in business owners. It's an opportunity for new businesses to come in with fresh ideas, and it's an exciting time for the city."

For those new businesses looking for a home in downtown Albemarle, the community offers a number of resources to aid in getting started. The Stanly Community College Small Business Center offers counseling, seminars and workshops that can help small business owners in everything from creating a business plan to understanding OSHA regulations. In her position, Almond also encourages business owners to come to her or other city officials for help with the local processes.

As downtown Albemarle continues to grow, the city is strategically implementing ways to make the area more pedestrian and business-friendly.

"One way that the city has been proactive is by continuing to implement the streetscape plan. They're implementing more elements of that as far as creating some inviting outdoor space for the public to enjoy that will also help bring foot traffic to the businesses," said Almond. "One project we're very excited about is an alleyway project. It's currently in the works to be converted into a pedestrian-only alleyway that will have lighting, seating, public art, and other spaces. One of the restaurants in close proximity has plans to utilize that extra seating to be able to accommodate overflow customers. I'm very excited to see how that's going to attract additional patrons to these businesses."