ALBEMARLE — At a recent Albemarle City Council meeting, City Manager Todd Clark provided a series of announcements for the new year to cap off the city’s final council meeting of 2024.
Clark began by confirming that the railroad crossing on Old Charlotte Road by Dean’s Ready Mixed (517 Old Charlotte Road) will be getting an update midway through 2025 with the help of a federal funding package.
“I’ve been working with NCDOT, and they have contacted me about railroad crossing upgrades that are planned for the Old Charlotte Road crossing,” the city manager said on Dec. 16. “They are looking at upgrades starting in the summer of 2025. It’s federally funded at 100%. The last update to that crossing was 34 years ago, and right now there are no audible signals there — it’s just lights only.”
Clark confirmed that he would keep the council informed with more updates as the upgrade process for the railroad crossing is carried out.
He continued by revealing that an interim director for the Main Street program in Albemarle has been named as the new year begins.
“I also wanted to let you know that Katie Lynn has been appointed as interim director of the Main Street program following the resignation of Joy Almond, who’s now going to work for the state of North Carolina,” he said.
In November, Almond announced that she was stepping down from her job with the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation after nearly a decade to accept a position as a Main Street program specialist for the North Carolina Main Street program, which is a division of the NC Department of Commerce.
Almond officially finished up her role with the city following the downtown Christmas Parade on Dec. 14.
“My work over the past nine years with the city and ADDC, first as the part-time assistant and then as the Main Street Manager for seven years, has been meaningful,” she said in a city press release. “I am most grateful for the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people here in Albemarle to build a downtown community we can be proud of.”
During her time leading the non-profit, she assisted in fundraising efforts for beautification projects, economic stimulus grants, and property upkeep through donations, grants, and event planning for the Stanly County Winter Wine Festival, Holiday Tour of Homes, Outdoorsman’s Bonanza, Fall Festival, and various Christmas events.
“Joy has done a remarkable job building relationships with downtown business owners and encouraging entrepreneurship in our community,” Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael added. “For years, she has been the point person for engaging events in our downtown and has played a key role in beautification efforts. We are truly grateful for all her contributions to the city.”
Clark closed out his comments to the council by verifying that he is working in the new year to establish the city’s connection with the Catawba Nuclear Station, which is a nuclear power plant operated by Duke Energy on a 391-acre peninsula in Lake Wylie, SC.
He provided an open invitation for city council members and city staff to assist in the project.
The Albemarle City Council is set to meet again on Jan. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
cutline: Albemarle City Manager Todd Clark gave a year-end wrap-up announcement to the Albemarle City Council on Dec. 16 (photo courtesy of the City of Albemarle)