High Point · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in High Point public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Economic Development Discussions
The Council is going behind closed doors to talk about an economic development matter. The details are confidential under state law, but this kind of session often signals a potential business recruitment or incentive deal in the works. Any public announcement or vote would come later.
Liberty Academy Charter School Expansion
Liberty Academy is looking to update its property zoning to include high school grades, though total enrollment would remain capped at 799 students. The discussion focuses on traffic mitigation and how the school fits into the surrounding neighborhood.
ElectriCities Customer Service Survey Results and Utility Improvements
The city is purchasing $1.66 million in new digital electric meters from Border States to support new homes and replace aging equipment as part of its ongoing meter upgrade project.
Water and Sewer Rate Structure Overhaul
High Point is adjusting its water and sewer budget by $1.32 million to cover unexpected expenses from last summer's flood repairs and high incinerator hauling costs, covered by insurance and investment earnings.
Foster Care Resource and Support Needs
A representative from the Family Room foster care resource center highlighted the critical shortage of licensed foster homes and resources for children entering care.
Replacement Transit Vehicle Procurement
High Point is teaming up with Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Burlington, and PART to let riders use a single transit card across all regional bus systems.
First Baptist Church Property and Downtown Revitalization
City leaders are exploring ways to redesign South Main Street to make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and students while encouraging new housing and business investment. The 1.5-mile stretch currently features wide, high-speed lanes that divide neighborhoods, but upcoming state repaving projects offer a chance to reallocate street space.
Bicentennial Greenway Interlocal Agreement
High Point, Greensboro, and Guilford County are teaming up for the first time to jointly maintain, repair, and brand the 18-mile Bicentennial Greenway, addressing long-standing maintenance backlogs and accessibility issues.
Fire Department Fleet and Apparatus Replacements
The committee approved major apparatus purchases totaling over $4 million to replace aging fire trucks, tankers, and aerial towers that have exceeded standard mileage and pump hours.
Blighted Property Demolitions
Code enforcement is actively addressing minimum housing violations, public nuisances, and blighted properties through targeted inspections, owner rehabilitations, and demolitions.
Deep River Blueway Trail Grant Application
High Point is applying for a $100,000 state grant to help launch its first water trail (blueway) along the Deep River. The city will provide a 25% match to kick off the waterway project.
Downtown Hotel Development at North Elm Street
The city is selling municipal property at 305 and 315 North Elm Street to Terra Investments LLC for $1 million to clear the way for a new select-service hotel next to Truist Point stadium.
Splashworks expansion at Picker Cotton Mill
A rezoning at 1690 W. English Road lets Splashworks expand inside the old Picker Cotton Mill, turning it into a year-round destination with commercial and residential uses. Supporters say it boosts revitalization of High Point's southwest area and its creative community.
Employee Compensation and Classification Study Phase 2
The city reviewed the final results of a major study examining employee pay, market competitiveness, and salary compression across more than 1,000 positions. The findings led to a recommended hybrid parity model and a 2.5% market adjustment funded in the budget to help High Point retain talented staff.
Project Crocodile Economic Incentive
The city approved a $75,000 building upfit grant to help Project Launch transform 1321 Long Street into a venture creation hub and office space, aiming to generate 40 jobs over five years.
Cedar Drive Pedestrian Bridge Design
The city is partnering with NCDOT to build a pedestrian bridge over I-74, featuring an 80/20 cost share.
Major Watershed Variance for Gallimore Dairy Road Development
Koury NST, LLC is requesting a major watershed variance to address surface water buffer impacts from stream relocation and fill at 501 Gallimore Dairy Road. The case tests the city's watershed protection standards and mitigation requirements for commercial properties in the City Lake General Watershed area.
Fire Department Data Analytics and Risk Reduction
The fire department highlighted its elite ISO Class 1 rating, strong inspection metrics, and new health initiatives that successfully diagnosed a hidden medical condition in a firefighter during routine physicals.
Congdon Yards Urban Park Development
A private foundation is proposing a new 1.5-acre urban park in downtown High Point to serve as a community gathering space and anchor for future housing and business growth. City officials discussed how the park could partner with municipal infrastructure like the upcoming Elm Street greenway.
Washington Street Property Conveyance to D-UP, Inc.
The city is transferring a vacant lot at 722 Washington Street to the nonprofit D-UP, Inc. to support neighborhood revitalization. The group will use the land as a community garden in the short term and eventually build affordable housing.
Budget Debate
High Point firefighters are pushing city leaders to include better retirement benefits in the upcoming budget. They argue these upgrades are essential for their well-being and crucial for maintaining local public safety.
Opioid Settlement Fund Allocations
The city allocated opioid settlement funds to local providers Caring Services and GCSTOP to support outpatient treatment and addiction services. Officials discussed how the money is paid out in annual installments through 2039.
Solid Waste Fleet and Routing Upgrades
A resident questioned why non-residents use city-funded recycling facilities for the same cost as local taxpayers, suggesting a resident sticker system or fee adjustments.
Draft 2026 Annual Action Plan Funding
High Point is planning how to allocate over $1.1 million in federal CDBG and HOME grants for affordable housing, home repairs, and public services. Staff reviewed proposed programs and upcoming public meetings where residents can share their input.
New City Hall Facility Design and Location
The city is exploring designs and options for constructing a new City Hall building at 405 N. Main Street to replace aging facilities. Consultants presented two concepts ('Radiance' and 'Embrace') that balance modern civic needs with downtown revitalization.
Commerce Substation Equipment Upgrades
The city is purchasing standardized equipment to overhaul and rebuild the Commerce Substation.
PTRWA Regional Water and Wastewater Study
High Point is committing to regional strategies with the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority to secure long-term water and wastewater capacity.
Power Sales Agreements Extension for Catawba Nuclear Plant
The city is extending its municipal power agency sales agreements through 2043 to align with nuclear power generation.
Street and Sidewalk Bond Orders and Triangle Lake Road Project
A $157,200 contract with Precision Infrastructure Management will evaluate sidewalk trip hazards and roadway ponding across the entire city, creating a GIS database by fall.
Emergency Roadway Repairs on Shore Street
The city approved $140,000 for urgent road repairs on Shore Street following a major 12-inch water line break that damaged pavement used by heavy delivery trucks.
Opportunity Zones 2.0 Program Census Tract Nominations
High Point is selecting three census tracts to nominate for the permanent federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 tax incentive program. These tracts can be combined with other federal and local programs to drive private investment and community revitalization.
Special Use Permit Authority Transfer (Text Amendment 26-01)
The city moved special use permit decisions from the City Council to the Board of Adjustment. This change frees elected officials from strict communication rules so they can talk freely with residents about proposed developments.
Inspections Department Technology Upgrade
The city is replacing four separate permitting and inspection software programs with a single unified system from GovWell Technologies. While the initial investment is $849,500, it is expected to cut ongoing annual software costs significantly.
Police Department Annual Performance and Crime Trends
The police department reported a drop in overall crime and calls for service for 2025 while highlighting new community policing efforts, youth programs, and upcoming specialized task forces to tackle internet crimes against children.
West Green Drive Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project
The city awarded a nearly $3.9 million contract to construct green stormwater improvements along West Green Drive, funded largely by federal ARPA grant dollars.
Municipal Service District (MSD) Consideration
High Point reviewed survey feedback from downtown tenants and business owners regarding whether to establish a special property tax district to fund extra downtown services. Because surveys showed most tenants opposed it and felt current city services are sufficient, the council agreed to hold off for now.
Country Club Road Extension and Housing Density Concerns
Residents expressed worry over proposed high-density housing developments and potential road extensions leading to construction blasting and property damage.
Multi-Year Debt Strategy and Capital Financing
Financial advisors presented an updated debt model showing the city maintains high credit ratings and robust debt capacity, though funding all planned projects will eventually require new dedicated revenues.
Regional Homelessness Response and Shared Funding
Guilford County and its municipalities are working through a task force to coordinate homelessness services, evaluate regional funding disparities, and implement the NC 504 Strategic Plan.
Expansion of Police Drone and Real-Time Crime Center Capabilities
The city is investing $1.54 million over five years in a new Drone as First Responder program to improve emergency response times and assist fire and rescue operations.
2024-2027 Strategic Plan Quarterly Update
Staff reviewed progress on the City's strategic goals, reporting that 81 percent of initiatives are on track. Key updates included downtown economic momentum, automated water meter upgrades, and staffing hurdles in code enforcement.
High Point on the Rise Greenway and Streetscape Project Update
The city is moving ahead with a 4.8-mile urban greenway and Elm Street streetscape project funded by a $19.8 million federal grant and $9 million in local funds. The project will connect underserved neighborhoods in southwest High Point to transit, the library, and healthcare facilities.
Ward Elevated Storage Tank Demolition and Monitoring
The city is moving forward with demolishing the historic 1930 Ward water tank and hiring engineering consultants to monitor vibrations and lead paint to protect nearby historic homes.
Housing Development
High Point wants to fast-track 5,000 new homes over the next five years to keep up with massive local growth. If you've been stressing over the tight housing market, this push means a lot more choices might finally be coming your way soon.
Homeless Encampment Clearance
High Point city workers cleared out a local homeless camp while offering support services to the people who had to leave. It's all part of the city's ongoing effort to balance public space management with homelessness assistance.
Cultural Preservation
High Point is finally putting money toward fixing up the historic John Coltrane House, making sure this legendary jazz landmark doesn't crumble away. It's a huge win for keeping the city's music history alive and giving locals a cultural spot to be proud of.
Utility Rate Increase
High Point residents are facing an upcoming hike in their monthly water and utility bills. If you live in the area, be prepared to shell out a bit more cash for your basic services soon.
Police Chief Appointment
High Point has a brand new police chief, Curtis Cheeks, stepping in to lead the department. This means a shift in top-level leadership for the city's law enforcement, which could bring new community safety strategies.
Mayoral Election
High Point's 2024 mayoral race is down to two candidates, and it's time to figure out who's getting your vote. Check out where they stand before heading to the ballot box.