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11/24/2025 - Tree Removal 

During the installation of the new sidewalk at the Historic Courthouse, several issues were discovered on the north side: 

We are on the edges of root balls for six trees due to ADA required elevation and slope of new sidewalk. The cut of this elevation caused an earth curb. The plans call for this to be sloped closer to the trees causing more damage to the root ball. Putting a concrete curb on this radius will cause water to sheet flow on to the court square causing flooding potentially. 

After discussions, the general contractor, grading contractor, arborist and County project manager, agreed on the best course of action:

  • Three trees will be removed based on the arborist's report and recommendation.
  • The internal radius will be cut to an elevation that allows water to flow off the sidewalk and be absorbed.
  • The external radius will have curb poured in place to prevent further damage to the root balls. 

County is looking at options to plant a tree in the area during final landscaping. Additionally, the arborist will trim and shape the remaining 13 trees while on-site and a plan is in place to perform root injections on all trees at the end of the project. 

Arborist Report

Historic Courthouse North Side Trees
North Side Trees Zoomed

10/24/2025 - 11/06/2025 Historic Windows being installed

Work has begun on installing the historic windows to preserve architectural integrity with the main focus on historical accuracy. 

Muntins installed on windows

IMG_4194

Historic Windows initial work

Historic Courthouse Windows

Glass without historical trim

Historic Courthouse Windows

7/31/2025 - Water lines nearing completion, landscape work continues, window glass reviewed. 

The new water lines at the Historic Courthouse are nearly complete. In the meantime, the City of Lincolnton will provide a temporary water connection until the final tie-in. Landscaping renovations are ongoing—tree removal has been completed, and the arborist will continue assessing the condition of the remaining older trees. Project leaders also reviewed the replacement window glass to ensure it aligns with the original approval from the Historic Preservation Commission.

Landscape Plan

6/11/2025 - Grounds and Utility Infrastructure Work Begins

Progress continues on the Historic Courthouse Renovation as work has now shifted to the surrounding grounds and utility infrastructure. In collaboration with Lincolnton City Public Works staff, contractors are beginning work on installing new water lines and grading the site as part of the planned improvements. 

To safely accommodate this phase of construction, the perimeter fence has been moved closer to the curb. The Veterans and War Memorials have been carefully relocated for safekeeping during this portion of the project. Additionally, the bike racks will be relocated during the upcoming portion of the project as well. 

A number of trees on the property identified by engineers as decaying, overcome with disease, or impacted by utility work are being removed. These will be replaced with several healthy new trees to enhance the landscape. 

Erosion control measures are also being implemented to protect the site during construction. Looking ahead, the next major phase of the project will involve waterproofing the courthouse basement.

5/29/2025 - Veterans and War Memorials Temporarily Relocated 

The Veterans and War Memorials located at the Historic Courthouse have been temporarily relocated as renovations continue  Lincoln County Veterans Services will provide secure storage for the monuments. Upon completion of the courthouse renovations, the monuments will be reinstalled in a newly constructed concrete plaza adjacent to the clock, where the bench will be accessible for use, creating a significantly improved space.

3/12/2025 & 3/20/2025 - Bid Opening (State Funds Scope of Work)

JM Cope - Construction Manager for the project opened bids with county staff on two different dates in March 2025 for a scope of work including 13 separate bid items. These items included Site Concrete, Turnkey Site Work, Fencing and Rails, Landscaping, Masonry, Caulking-Waterproofing-Weather Barrier, Windows & Glazing, Doors and Frames, Drywall and Framing, Acoustical Ceilings and Plaster, Plumbing, HVAC systems, and Electrical Systems. Bid tabs and final budget amounts will be posted on the county's webpage in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes Procurement Law.

Fall 2024 - Presentation to City Council by County Staff, UNC (DFI), and NC SHPO

In fall of 2024 County staff provided updates to City Council as to the current status of work related to the portion of renovation covered by state funds ($4.5M). County staff presented the scope of work and covered what is intended to be included in the expenditure of the remaining funds. County staff stressed the importance of developing a plan moving forward to ensure that the final concepts as adopted by the stakeholders is carried out successfully for the long term economic benefit of the building to the citizens and community. 

The UNC School of Government staff presented information pertaining to the contract from 2021 for the services of the Development Finance Initiative (DFI) in performing a parcel analysis, site analysis, and financial feasibility report. The group presented the options for future ownership possibilities, of which was noted that private ownership is likely to be the most financially sound model. This would include a developer to finish out the remainder of renovations needed to complete the scope for the building as well as an operator to manage the mixture of uses within the building and on the grounds. 

The North Carolina Department of Cultural & Natural Resources Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) staff presented information pertaining to the potential for tax credits that would be available to private owners of the building if that is the ownership option that is ultimately chosen. 

5/2/2024 - 7/22/2024 - Preliminary Interior Work Begins

To bring the building back to it's original 1923 form with a singular grand space, removal of the 1985 renovations that created  three individual courtrooms was necessary. The focus is on the history of the building and making sure that it returns to it's original form as much as possible so that the integrity of the building and all of its historical significance is captured during the course of the current renovation project. 

Original Brick Uncovered

Original Brick

Hand Crafted Ceiling Exposed

1923 Ceiling

Balcony Revealed

Balcony Revealed

Spring 2024 - Construction Fence Installed

The construction fencing you see here is necessary for the safety of  both the public and the contractors and workers on site. It is a visual barrier that allows the limits of the construction work to be defined to protect the general public from entering the work zone. The fencing has been covered in a black mesh wrap to hide the metal chain link that is beneath. The fencing will also have a project identification logo added in the near future on the east side of the square. The fencing will be up for the duration of the project, but has been routed in such a way that allows for the war memorial monuments to be outside the fence for spring ceremonies as well as electrical hookups for the City of Lincolnton's "Live After Five" summer concert series. There was also special consideration given to providing room for the Christmas Tree that is placed on the eastern side of the square during the November/December holiday season. 
Construction Fence
Final Scenario Design for Website_front page REVISED 3.1.24

1/24/2024 - City and County Officials host joint meeting and receive latest updates

The past 6 months have been utilized by the County and Maurer Architecture to work through a detailed assessment of the building including evaluation of the Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical systems as well as a preliminary structural analysis of the building. As-built drawings of the existing structure have also been recently completed which will help the Construction Manager begin working on cost estimates for the budget of the project. 
Courthouse Reuse Update 1.24.24_title page

1/22/2024 - County selects and hires Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the project

The County has decided to utilize the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) as the procurement method for this project to administer construction. Learn more about JM Cope below. The primary benefit of this method are that the Construction Manager must provide a Guaranteed Maximum Price, which should compliment the county's efforts to not exceed the budgeted funds allocated by the State of North Carolina. 

Fall 2023 - County Commissioners and City Council Determine consensus on final design concept

The Board of County Commissioners and City of Lincolnton City Council provided feedback to project management staff regarding the preferred final redevelopment scenario design. See the design below, which includes a bar/lounge with small scale entertainment space, such as standup comedy on the basement level; a food hall on the first floor with cafe seating and historical and cultural exhibits throughout; and an open air 2nd and 3rd floor in the central space with a balcony overlooking the former 1923 courtroom that could be utilized for large weddings, corporate events, conferences, and serve as a gallery and additional space for historical museum collection and local art.
FINAL Scenario Design for Website_REVISED

5/19/2023 - County Commissioners narrow design concepts down to two options

Throughout May and June 2023, the concepts presented to the county commissioners and city council were narrowed down to two. A visual comparison of those two concepts can be seen below.
Screenshot 2023-06-23 135058

5/19/2023 - Financial Feasibility Analysis Completed by UNC DFI Staff and provided to City/County Leaders

3/30/2023 - County Commissioners review design concepts for consideration

On March 30, 2023 Maurer Architecture presented four redevelopment scenario options for the building. Each option carefully weighed the input of the community and the county leaders who have been studying the building and property for more than two years. An outline of each of the preliminary concepts can be found below.
  • #1) Dinner and a Show (Cultural Hub)- This concept anchors the building as a cultural hub of activity in the community along with entertainment, dining, and performance space. This design includes a bar, comedy club, and cigar lounge or speakeasy on the basement level, with a full scale restaurant on level one, two small performance spaces with concessions on the second, and a black box theater unlike any other attraction in downtown on the third.
  • #2) Show and Tell (Convention Center) - This concept provides for a maker space and hub of art creation as well as event space for conventions and small to medium scale trade shows. A Pottery Studio is visualized in the basement level, with a Pottery Gallery and a Cafe on the first floor, and event space and breakout classrooms on the second and third floor. 
  • #3) Come One, Come All (Event Venue/Hall) - This concept works to blend a mixture of uses including a Pottery Center, a Food Court or Food Hall including dining amidst an open gallery, and a large event space that would combine the center portion of the second and third floor into a singular grand ball room with 20 foot tall ceilings; including a balcony and wedding event space.
  • #4) Fueling Creativity (Business Incubator) - This concept aims to utilize the bulk of the square footage as a way to boost local business and economic activity by creating a unique space for entrepreneurs and start up businesses as well as other local businesses to have a place to work collaboratively in a coworking environment. It includes a maker space on the basement level, six vendor spaces for retail shoppes and a coffee bar on the first floor, while providing a variety of different size conference rooms, studio space, and offices on the second and third.
  1. 1 Dinner and Show
  2. 2 Dinner and show_basement
  3. 3 dinner and show_first
  4. 4 Dinner and show_second
  5. 5 Dinner and show_third
  6. 6 show and tell
  7. 7 show and tell_basement
  8. 8 show and tell_first
  9. 9 show and tell_second
  10. 10 show and tell_third
  11. 11 fueling creativity
  12. 12 fueling creativity_basement
  13. 13 fueling creativity_first
  14. 14 fueling creativity_second
  15. 15 fueling creativity_third
  16. 16 come one come all
  17. 17 come one come all_baseement
  18. 18 come one come all_first
  19. 19 come one come all_second
  20. 20 come one come all_third

12/29/2022 - Maurer Architecture (Raleigh, NC) selected to evaluate courthouse

6/20/2022 - Step 2 of Study Completed (Market Analysis)

UNC School of Government DFI Staff Completes Market Analysis 

3/4/2022 - Step 1 of Study Completed (Parcel Analysis)

UNC School of Government DFI Staff Completes Parcel Analysis in Downtown Lincolnton
UNCSOG_DFI PA PIC

  1. Lincoln County, North Carolina Homepage

Contact Us

  1. Lincoln County Government

    353 N. Generals Blvd.

    Lincolnton, NC 28092


    PO Box 738, Lincolnton, NC 28093-0738

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