Proposed legislation poses obstacle for Southwest Mill District in High Point
HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) — High Point's ambitious plan to revitalize the Southwest Mill District is now facing unexpected delays.
Even though the city leaders approved it on March 24, proposed state laws are introducing new hurdles.
The purpose of the Southwest Mill District was to bring new jobs, homes and stores along Green Drive.
Not everyone was on board with the plan.
'Why come to a neighborhood that's lower income and take over what they have? A lot of the people here work their whole lives to have the houses that they have,' said Floyd Rich, a Southwest High Point resident.
Rich is glad there's a piece of legislation that's putting the brakes on the development project.
'I'm happy about it,' he said.
Rich said he hopes the hurdle will allow people like himself to voice their opposition again.
'Fix the community as a whole. Not just buildings and making money,' he said.
According to City Interim Planning Director Michael Harvey, the city was about to reach out to property owners who would be impacted in the district to finalize the official zoning map, but proposed state laws, Senate Bill 587 and House Bill 765, are causing some concern.
The project calls for downzoning properties that are part of this district, and that's what's at the heart of the proposed legislation.
If it passes, the city would need written consent from property owners to make it happen.
Also, local governments could be restricted from enacting zoning regulations stricter than the state laws.
'…It would be more productive to temporarily delay initiation of outreach efforts until we had a clearer picture of the possible impacts brought on by the adoption of draft legislation,' Harvey said.
Despite this obstacle, High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson said the city is still excited about the potential of the plan.
City leaders are confident the Southwest Mill District will become a reality.
'It means that you take a little more time to go back to the drawing board to try to figure plans out. Despite the delay, we still feel confident this will move forward,' Jefferson said.
The mayor said they could have a clearer picture in the next few months.
According to Harvey, the city will proceed with what they can, including establishing purpose and goals for the district.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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