Downtown’s Potential Grows with Key Land Acquisition
At its June 2025 meeting, the Mocksville Board of Commissioners offered a glimpse into the future of downtown by highlighting the significance of the former Energy United property and outlining plans to develop a Downtown Master Plan. These steps underscore the Town’s commitment to managing growth with foresight while maintaining the unique character that defines Mocksville.
In June 2024, the Town purchased 5.08 acres from Energy United for $1,985,000—an investment that could reshape the heart of downtown. The property spans from Sanford Avenue along South Salisbury Street, stopping just behind Cognition. While it does not include the current locations of the Davie County Chamber of Commerce, Davie Community Foundation, or Cognition, it does encompass several key buildings and historically significant sites, including the Energy United Education Center, the former business office, Junker’s Mill, and the old cotton gin.
The purchase was made possible by a grant that also includes funding to renovate the Education Center into a training and meeting space for the Town Board.
“This property makes up a large portion of our ‘Downtown Mocksville’ footprint,” said Mayor Will Marklin. “It is rare for a municipality to have the opportunity to control the development of this much vacant land in the downtown area.”
Guiding Growth Through Community Priorities
The Town’s plans for the site are rooted in Mocksville’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan, which reflects resident input and community goals. These include a desire to reuse existing buildings, expand downtown development, increase housing options, and enhance recreational amenities. To help evaluate options, Mocksville partnered with the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative (DFI).
“The town wanted to understand how the private sector works, its thought process, and its pro formas for development,” said Town Manager Lee Rollins. “Having DFI provide some options and share the private sector’s lens will help us hone our vision and strategy.”
DFI began evaluating the site in October 2024, gathering input from stakeholders and identifying shared priorities such as expanding downtown housing, creating public gathering spaces, and improving pedestrian access.
Realistic Development Scenarios Reflect Market Conditions
At the June meeting, DFI’s Associate Director Eric Thomas presented two potential development approaches for the site:
1. Mixed-Use Multifamily Development
- 180 apartments in a four-story building
- 10,000 square feet of retail space
- 270 surface parking spaces
- ~0.75-acre park with amphitheater
However, this scenario would require collaboration with neighboring property owners and rental rates above current market conditions:
- $2.15/SF for residential (compared to $1.25/SF currently downtown)
- $28–$30/SF for retail (currently $10/SF downtown and $18/SF along US Hwy 601 and near I-40)
2. Townhome and Retail Concept
- 50 townhomes
- 5,000 square feet of retail
- ~0.85-acre park with amphitheater
- All within the existing 5-acre site
Challenges remain for this option as well, including townhome pricing over $400,000 and premium retail rents at or above $30/SF.
“These analyses are helping us determine where we might need to invest resources if we want to attract a quality developer,” Rollins explained.
Master Plan Will Chart the Path Forward
To ensure responsible and strategic growth, the Town’s 2025–2026 budget includes funding to update the Comprehensive Plan and develop a dedicated Downtown Master Plan. At the June meeting, Irene Tyson, planning director and associate at Boudreaux, emphasized how a well-crafted plan provides long-term value.
“Downtown master plans create a vision and a plan for investments in your community to elevate and sustain prosperity and quality of life,” said Tyson.
According to Tyson, a master plan:
- Reflects community values and vision
- Guides capital projects and infrastructure priorities
- Encourages private and public investment
- Offers flexible, forward-thinking design
- Lays out sustainable economic and cultural strategies
- Enhances Mocksville’s identity and competitiveness
Rollins added, “How does the Town think holistically in infrastructure and street development—by bridging Depot, Main, and Salisbury streets—as opposed to the piecemeal approach of the past? That’s where a master plan will help. All residents will have multiple opportunities to offer their input.”
Preserving Character While Planning for Growth
Town leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining the charm and character of downtown while planning for the future.
“I think the commissioners are willing to wait and put this master plan together to see what infrastructure improvements we need to attract the right kind of development,” said Rollins. “Our residents want to know that we won’t be changing the look and feel of downtown. It’s part of our fabric and DNA.”
While downtown enjoys a commercial vacancy rate below 2%, it presents challenges for entrepreneurs seeking space.
“There’s a false impression that we can just easily put in retail with apartments above, but it’s all based on market conditions and return on investment,” Rollins noted. “DFI is helping us understand how to work within that framework.”
A Strategic Investment for the Community’s Future
Rather than rushing into development, Mocksville’s leaders are focused on making intentional decisions that offer long-term benefits for the community.
“The commissioners made a wise decision in investing in this property and are willing to wait and put this master plan together to see what other infrastructure improvements we need to make to attract a quality developer,” said Rollins.
“With the Town’s investment, we understand that it came from the public first, and we want to maximize the return on that investment,” he continued. “This is an economic development project. It’s not a 300,000-square-foot building, but we want to ensure that whatever investments are made have a multiplier effect. We know that retail sales and rooftops drive economic activity.”
As Mocksville looks ahead, its leadership is taking a careful, deliberate approach that blends community input, professional guidance, and market realities. With the right planning, the Energy United property could serve as a catalyst for a thriving, connected, and vibrant downtown for generations to come.