First part of Core City plan gets OK

BY VICKI KNOPFLER ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
vknopfler@hpe.com
Dec 16,2008

HIGH POINT - The High Point City Council unanimously passed Monday the first part of the Core City revitalization plan, the Washington Drive District Plan.

The plan, under formal study for almost a year, calls for creating an entertainment and historic mixed-use district based on the area's black heritage. The city's role is to provide infrastructure, including streetscaping, parks and parking, to create an attractive and pedestrian-friendly corridor.

An earlier version of the plan called for the city to be responsible for a museum focusing on John Coltrane, the internationally famous late jazz musician who lived in High Point from his infancy through graduation from William Penn High School.

The plan, as adopted Monday, places a Coltrane museum in the private sector.

All the public comments before the City Council's vote Monday were to support the Washington Drive plan.

Glenn Chavis of High Point, an historian, spoke passionately about identifying the area with Coltrane and other entertainers. Information about Coltrane that he has been unable to verify has been printed and otherwise disseminated, Chavis said.

The same is true of the Kilby Hotel and the musicians and famous people it supposedly attracted.

Chavis, however, has been able to document famous people and musicians performing at High Point Normal and Industrial School, which became William Penn High School.

"Use our history, but make it factual," Chavis said. "Show me the facts. Let our history stand on the facts. I'll be glad to work with you."

Chavis also was critical of consultants who researched the area and made recommendations for it. One consultant in

particular, Chavis said, came to High Point with preconceived notions, one of which placed Coltrane as the most important part of High Point's black history. In fact, Coltrane did little in High Point beyond attending church and school here and participating in choirs and bands at both, Chavis said.

"We don't need gimmicks to sell Washington Street history," Chavis said.

Theodore Little Jr., who lives on E. Washington Drive and is president of Washington Drive Renaissance, a nonprofit group, spoke of his group's efforts to buy the Kilby Hotel, restore it and bring entertainment there.

"We know the city doesn't have all the money to do it ... and we know it won't be easy. The Kilby will act as a catalyst to bring more business," Little said.

Pastors Kenneth Taylor, a member of New Beginnings Full Gospel Ministry, and Dennis Leach Sr. of First Baptist Church on Washington Drive also pledged support for the Washington Drive plan.

"Washington Drive has been passed by for years," Leach said. "I'm here hoping there's some Samaritan good will."

vknopfler@hpe.com