The City of Kannapolis continues to work closely with the Cabarrus Health Alliance and the Rowan County Health Department to respond appropriately to COVID-19. Things are changing rapidly every day and we are working with our neighboring cities, counties, businesses and other agencies to ensure we do everything we can to keep our community safe.
Today, the cities of Kannapolis, Concord, Cabarrus County and the towns of Midland, and Mt. Pleasant declared a State of Emergency. This action will help the County and municipalities seek federal funding when appropriate for administrative support and proactive resource mobilization related to COVID-19 preparation, response and recovery. The declaration also gives us the authority to act against anyone who may attempt to sell goods or services at excessive prices and to ensure that people adhere to the state and federal restrictions on public gatherings.
This is not a natural disaster, like a hurricane or winter storm. Your ability to obtain food, water or other necessities is not in jeopardy. The City urges its citizens to make practical purchases for your household’s needs. A sensible way to help our most vulnerable populations is to leave supplies on shelves. Avoid stockpiling or hoarding provisions or supplies. There will be more than enough food and supplies for everyone if we take this approach together.
“The state of emergency does not change how we are responding to this public health crisis or in our delivery of services to you. It is a formality that allows us to take measures needed to protect us and to hopefully seek federal financial aid to help our health departments respond to COVID-19 and to apply for any federal aid which may help our community recover. We hope the drastic measures we are taking today will help us flatten the curve and thus protect the health of our residents,” commented Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant.
City Services
The City of Kannapolis is open for business. All services are being maintained 24/7. Garbage, recycling, police and fire protection, customer service, water and sewer systems are working on regular schedules. Our parks and greenways are open, although the carousel and train at Village Park will remain closed until further notice. However, our parks and recreation programming and special events have been postponed or cancelled. We are also not accepting any rentals of our city facilities or park shelters. We will reassess these activities in the upcoming weeks and make announcements regarding these services when it is appropriate.
City Facilities
To keep you and our staff safe we will close all City buildings to the public today, March 19, at 5 p.m. – until further notice. City staff will continue to work during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday. In order to comply with the recommendations of local, state and federal health agencies, city staff are practicing social distancing by staggering in-office schedules and telecommuting.
City employees may be reached by phone or email using this staff directory - www.kannapolisnc.gov/Contact-Us
We want to ensure that the recruitment of new businesses and economic development projects in our City continue to progress to the greatest extent possible during this time. Our planning, development, and engineering services are also available electronically – https://www.kannapolisnc.gov/Government-Departments/Planning and staff is available by phone or email.
Economic Development questions and needs may be sent to Irene Sacks at isacks@kannapolisnc.gov or 704.920.4326.
Utility Services/Bills
During this time customers will need to pay your utility bill online, by postal mail, drive up drop box in the parking lot at City Hall or by telephone. All the information you need to pay your bill is located here – www.kannapolisnc.gov/UtilityBilling
We will not disconnect any customer’s water service during this difficult time. We suspended all service disconnections last week when it became clear that good hygiene habits prevent COVID-19.
Downtown Revitalization Project/Atrium Health Ballpark
Our downtown revitalization projects are moving forward. Final touches are underway on the Atrium Health Ballpark and it will be ready when Minor League Baseball and state and local health agencies deem it safe to start the baseball season.
Construction on VIDA, the mixed-use district of apartments and businesses, is still underway and it is on schedule to open in February. The townhome project is still scheduled to start construction this Fall. Housing developments throughout the City are also still progressing.
Announcements for several new businesses who have signed leases along West Avenue are expected shortly and renovation of those spaces is underway.
Stay Informed
In the upcoming days and weeks, we will continue to work with our community partners, businesses and you as we all struggle to find our new normal. Please follow us on social media and our website for daily updates and information.
What Can You Do to Help Our Community?
We are compiling a list of what we can do to help the missions of our non-profits. If you are a non-profit that has a need please contact Sherry Gordon at sgordon@kannapolisnc.gov. As we become aware of needs in our community, we will share them on our website and social media channels.
We hope you understand that we are taking these measures in order to prevent community spread and hopefully to flatten the curve of COVID-19. We thank you for your patience as we all work together to keep everyone healthy.