Latest news with #BeckyHawke
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Matthews approves agreement with CMS board to construct Discovery Place on elementary campus
MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The agreement became official Monday night that will place a Discovery Place Kids museum on an elementary school campus. Matthews' Board of Commissioners approved a joint-use agreement and memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education for the property where Matthews Elementary School currently stands on South Trade Street. Through the 2023 $2.5 billion bond, the school will be rebuilt behind the current building with the museum under the same roof. PREVIOUS: Vote put on hold for agreement to put Discovery Place museum on Matthews Elementary campus The land where the school sits will be turned into a park, and under a land-swap, the school board will acquire parkland along McKee Road. The unanimous vote came on Town Manager Becky Hawke's final meeting before she departs for the same position in Wilmington. Commissioner Ken McCool suggested one of the roads in the project's vicinity should honor her. 'This is an incredibly exciting chapter in Matthews,' he said. 'I'm going to lobby as a citizen. I believe as this is built, that one of the streets leading up to it should be named for Mrs. Hawke. This would've never come to fruition without her leadership. She needs to be honored for that.' After being questioned by Commissioner Mark Tofano, Town Attorney Daniel Peterson noted that the MOU was in fact different from a legally binding contract. 'To that sense it does not bind the town on every decision point ahead, it just means we cannot actively frustrate the purpose of the memorandum of understanding.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Matthews' future Discovery Place museum could be part of rebuilt elementary school
MATTHEWS, N.C (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Discovery Place Kids museum planned for Matthews could be placed in the most ideal location possible: a school campus. Town leaders revealed Monday night plans to bolster their agreement with Discovery Place, adding the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education to the mix. It would lead to the new building for Matthews Elementary School being built on the back of its current downtown property, and the museum being part of the site. A replacement for the school is part of the slate on the 2023 $2.5 billion school bonds. Also part of the plans is turning the current school site into the new, larger Stumptown Park. May is a month for big-ticket events around Charlotte In February, Matthews entered a partnership with Discovery Place, the Charlotte-based museum with four locations in the area. The new Matthews site was unknown to the public at that point, but Town Manager Becky Hawke told commissioners that it would be 'reflective of Matthews' instead of a carbon copy of another museum. Matthews leaders expressed their excitement for the potential co-location with the school. They had to stay quiet on the latest news until the meeting. 'I'm very excited about this,' said Commissioner Renee Garner. 'It has been a long time coming. I kept my excitement tampered.' There also will be a land-swap if the property arrangement is approved. In return for the school property being turned into a park, a portion of a 27-acre town-owned property at the intersection of McKee and Pleasant Plain roads will be dealt to CMS for a future relief school. But Mayor John Higdon wants residents of nearby Windsor Run not to worry. 'I don't believe CMS has any intention of building relief school any time soon,' he said. 'It will be a park for many, many years.' Garner pushed for public comment to be part of the process before the deal is finalized. The CMS board also will take action on it. 'If there is a general info session, it's something I'd be happy for us to get scheduled, and invite folks to come and talk about it, and receive anything they would have to say,' Hawke said. In winter 2024, the town purchased three parcels along Trade Street to plan for the replacement of Matthews Elementary. Commissioner Mark Tofano lives in the middle of those site, and asked about the future of the current Stumptown Park property. 'It's ultimately up to this board,' said Hawke. 'There have been conversations on the farmers market needing a new home. It's part of the envisioning process this board is responsible for determining.' She said construction for the combined school and museum would begin between 2026 and 2028. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Matthews enters partnership to bring Discovery Place museum to town
MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Town of Matthews approved a partnership with Discovery Place Monday night to officially launch plans to bring a new children's museum to town. Under the newly established development and management agreement, the town will provide building space and the Charlotte-based museum will oversee the upfitting and operation of the Discovery Place Kids. Town Manager Becky Hawke said this will be an investment of between $3.6 million and $4.8 million for Matthews. Maintenance costs would depend on the building's square footage and number of spaces in the parking lot, she said. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Matthews Playhouse 'This is a tremendous opportunity for Matthews, and we couldn't be more excited about this partnership,' said Mayor John Higdon in a statement. 'Discovery Place Kids is renowned for its engaging experiences that are both fun and educational for children and their families. While the museum opening is still a few years away, we are excited to welcome them to Matthews and look forward to the many ways they will enrich our community.' The building space will be funded through the town's Tourism Fund and is expected to be available within the next five years. The exact location has not yet been determined. The town expects to finalize the details in the coming months and will hold public meetings for the location. 'We are thrilled to partner with the Town of Matthews to bring Discovery Place Kids to this vibrant community,' said Catherine Horne, Discovery Place president and CEO. 'This museum will be a hub of imagination, creativity and hands-on learning, designed to inspire young minds and bring families together.' Commissioner Ken McCool described his excitement for the initiative since he often visited Discovery Place in uptown Charlotte as a kid. He made the motion to approve the partnership, which passed unanimously. 'That's the best motion I've ever made,' he said. Discovery Place Kids offers interactive exhibits and hands-on learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and foster a love of learning in young children. Others are already located in Huntersville and Rockingham, and the Matthews museum would bring the number of Discovery Place locations to five. The addition of a Matthews location will provide local families with greater access to these high-quality educational opportunities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
