Davidson’s Town Board on Tuesday will devote its monthly work session to a presentation and public hearing on the proposed financial plan for Red Line Regional Rail Project. The Red Line also is the topic of a Lake Norman Chamber Focus Friday issues session Friday morning in Cornelius. And also this week, there’s a MI-Connection board of directors meeting Thursday.

Meanwhile, a planned meeting of the Cornelius Rail Task Force that had been scheduled Thursday has been canceled. Read the full story

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
and DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

STATESVILLE – Iredell County commissioners stopped short of killing the Red Line Regional Rail Project Tuesday night, though they may have only delayed the inevitable. In a 5-0 vote, commissioners approved a statement saying they would not support the project unless concerns about financing plans and future development are addressed. Read the full story

Organizers hoping to open a planned end-of-life “comfort care” home in Davidson or Cornelius this year are continuing to search for a house or building along the N.C. 115 corridor in the towns. And as they search, they’re starting training for volunteer “angels” who would staff the home. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Red Line Task Force chair John Woods said Tuesday he is “hopeful” that Iredell County commissioners will agree to hold off on a vote Tuesday night that would spell the death of the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project. But the commission’s chair says the business plan is flawed and he expects a “no” vote. Read the full story

When Davidson’s Design Review Board meets Wednesday, members will review proposed exterior alterations at the Community School of Davidson High School on Armour Street. The board also will get a look at planned changes to the BB&T building on North Main Street, which Davidson College is renovating as its student bookstore. IN REAL ESTATE & HOME»

Updated Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012
By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

More meetings lie ahead this week as Mecklenburg County’s Red Line Task Force lobbies for support for the proposed 25-mile commuter and freight rail line north of Charlotte. A critical vote could come Tuesday, when commissioners in Iredell County vote on the proposed $452 million plan.

It appears unlikely Iredell County leaders will vote in favor of the rail line, and that could bring a quick end to the latest effort to revive the rail line project. Iredell commissioners haven’t cast any votes yet, at least not formal ones. But they have signaled their lack of interest in the project: None have attended any of the regional meetings held to explain the project.

RELATED: Davidson planning workshop this Tuesday to Friday takes a closer look at potential development along the Red Line corridor. Read more in Real Estate & Home.

Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The Town of Davidson on Tuesday asked a judge to throw out a lawsuit by CommunityOne Bank challenging the Town Board’s 2011 rezoning of the former Davidson East property, off N.C. 73. In its response to the bank’s Nov. 2 suit, the town argues that the rezoning was legal and does not affect the bank’s ability to develop the property under the previous zoning. Read the full story

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
and DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Commercial property owners along the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project will be asked to make big up-front investments if area towns agree to move forward with the line, and some say that could make the project a tough sale.

To help pay for the commuter and freight rail line north of Charlotte, owners of commercial property in special districts around the tracks could begin paying extra taxes or fees years before rail service begins – and before they see any benefits. Read the full story