Drawing shows what MSC’s illumniated sign facing I-77 would look like. (Davidson Planning Department)

By CHUCK McSHANE
DavidsonNews.net

The Davidson Town Board on Tuesday voted unanimously to allow an interior-lit sign and other signage for the new MSC corporate center on Harbour Place Drive, off I-77 Exit 30.

The signs were not allowed under town rules but the board approved a  conditional-use permit to allow them, in a 4-0 vote.  Commissioner Connie Wessner was absent. Read the full story

The Davidson Town Board will meet Tuesday night at the home of  Commissioner Laurie Venzon in River Run for the next in a series of regular “team building” meetings. Meanwhile, the town calendar this week also includes a Design Review Board meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 16. That board will look at plans for an addition to Davidson College’s Baker Sports Complex, signs for the MSC headquarters off I-77 Exit 30, and plans for the proposed new Davidson Presbyterian Church on Depot Street. Also, Town Hall will be closed next Monday, Jan. 21, for the King Day holiday. Read the full story

Davidson’s Design Review Board on Wednesday night will look at the town’s own plans for renovating the former pumping station at the end of South Street as the new Parks & Recreation offices. The meeting also will include an initial review of MSC Industrial Direct’s plans for a “co-headquarters” at Harbour Place, off I-77 Exit 30. Read the full story

The wall of Summit Coffee on South Main Street could be the first to get a mural if the new rules are approved. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson is in the midst of revising its planning rules to allow for wall murals downtown, and the first one could show up on the south wall of the building that houses Summit Coffee. But that project, announced at the May 22 Town Board meeting, is still just an idea and faces a variety of hurdles, from funding to design approval. Read the full story

Workers removed stucco outside Summit Coffee on Main Street Wednesday. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

We wrote in January about the “sprucing up” over the winter at Summit Coffee on Main Street, with a new inside paint job and a new marketing push. Now it’s the outside of the building that’s getting a makeover.

Owner Hugh Barger recently decided to remove a layer of stucco covering the century-old brick building at 128 S. Main St. His plans were approved in February by the town’s Design Review Board, and work began this week.

“The stucco was peeling so with the concurrence of the (DRB) the decision was made to remove the stucco and leave the original brick.  Mortar work will repair any defective joints,” Mr. Barger said. “We think it is going to be a great improvement.”

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»

Deborah Caudle in front of The Soda Shop, which she owns in downtown Davidson. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

If you were out for a stroll on Main Street in downtown Davidson Sunday afternoon, you may have noticed a big change – a new look for The Soda Shop, at 104 S. Main St.  Bricks on the lower half of the beloved downtown eatery sported a fresh coat of teal blue paint, replacing the former “sand” yellow.

Deborah Caudle, who has owned the shop 18 years, said she decided to re-paint after an “inspiration” one day recently. Read the full story

Davidson’s Town Board meets Tuesday night, with an agenda that includes a public hearing and vote on a proposed change in use from commercial to residential at Davidson Commons East, off Griffith Street. The board also will hear updates on the MI-Connection cable system and PIES business incubator. And it will conduct public hearing and votes on an affordable housing ordinance amendment, and on the rules of procedure for the Design Review Board/ Historic Preservation Commission.

The board also plans a closed session to discuss “personnel matters.” The meeting begins Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. Here’s an annotated agenda with links to documents: Read the full story