Loray Mill redevelopment underway

The historic Loray Mill will be a busy place in the coming months as it becomes a beehive of construction activity to meet an aggressive 14-month construction timetable. Major pre-construction activities such as cleaning, paint removal, and structural stabilization have already begun. Phase I of the project, which is 75% of the massive building, will produce 190 market rate “class A” loft apartments, 78,000 square feet of commercial space, and 40,000 square feet of residential amenities including a large gym and pool, event space, secured access to residential floors, secured parking for residents, self-storage facilities, and spacious common areas. Phase II, which will focus on the western “L” of the building that runs perpendicular to Second Avenue, will be structurally stabilized as part of the first phase, and later built out with similar uses as Phase I. Preservation (PNC), North Carolina’s only statewide nonprofit organization devoted to saving historic buildings and sites, took ownership of the Loray Mill in 1998 by donation from Bridgestone-Firestone. For more than 14 years, PNC worked with Planning and pre-construction activities are underway the City and private developers to at the Loray Mill project. facilitate the redevelopment. Look for the loft apartments to become available in spring 2014. For more information about the Loray Mill project, contact Billy Hughes at [email protected] or 949.276.7790.

Manager Heather O’Bot says Zoe’s Coffee Shop, the or sustainable materials, some from the Loray Mill, latest addition to the steadily growing list of downtown Webb Theater and the Standard Building. businesses, will be offering up what more patrons You can find more information on each business’ are coming downtown for: entertainment with their hours, entertainment line-up, and schedule on their beverage of choice. respective websites. Zoe’s now joins several other downtown establishments – Freeman’s Pub, Sharkey’s, Other Downtown news: Another new Nick’s, and Grown Folks, a new nightclub – business is making its home downtown. that offer live entertainment on the weekends Monarch Nutrition, is a health, wellness, and often during the week. Zoe’s offers live and nutrition store that offers its own special performances for a range of musical tastes blend of smoothies and shakes. It is at 182 as well as providing a venue for performing W. Main Avenue next door to The Bottle artists, showcasing poetry readings and other Shoppe. Miller & Kasper, a hot dog shop, spoken word entertainment. is open at 101 W. Main, with a variety of The shop also works in junction with its next hot dog, brat, and sausage choices. Apple door neighbor, The Art Station, to showcase Press Antiques is open at 108 E. Main Ave. the work of local visual artists. Image Gallery has moved to 425 W. For the palate, Zoe’s will feature a full-service Franklin Blvd. and taken up residence with the coffee bar, a selection of craft beers and wines, new offices ofTina Smith Realty in the former desserts, pastries, and appetizers, all either made Sign Mill building. locally or provided by local suppliers. The shop’s interior Zoe’s Coffee Shop, two doors down from Nick’s downtown, is now open. was also designed using locally sourced recycled, reused, Swimming Pools Preview Free Tuesday, sponsored by Duke Energy, will be May 14, The Recreation Department will open the swimming pools 4-8 p.m. Free Friday will be May 24, 1-5 p.m. for two pre-season weekends, May 25-27 (Memorial Day weekend & holiday) and June 1-2. Lineberger Pool Mammal Safari Exhibit admission is $3 per two-and-one-half-hour swim session, Go on a virtual mammal safari adventure across the globe either 12:30-3:00 p.m. or 3:30-6:00 p.m. Erwin Pool at the Schiele’s latest admission is $2 for a 12:30-6:00 p.m. session. Both pools original exhibit production, open daily beginning June 8. Reservations for swim lessons sponsored by PNC Bank. and daycare hours can be made by calling Call 704.866.6908 or visit Parks & Recreation (704)869-1018. www.schielemuseum.org for more information.

Free Train Rides To celebrate National Kids to Parks Day, and to encourage kids to develop more active, healthy lifestyles by visiting a City park, the Recreation Department is offering free train rides at Lineberger Park from 10 a.m.- 12 noon on Saturday, May 18. Public Events at the Park Watch Gastonia Conference Center: The Recreation Department is still recruiting citizens to join Park Watch. The program provides guidelines May 20 – The Gaston County Sports Hall of Fame Awards for reporting suspicious activities & Banquet, 5:30-10:00 p.m. For ticket information, visit: or problems in the parks. For more Clinic gastongazette.com or call 704-869-1700. information visit www.cityofgastonia. A basketball clinic focusing on fundamentals & skills, taught com and click on the Park Watch owl logo. by former professional players and area coaches, will be June 1 – Gaston Association of Realtors Housing Expo, held at the Phillips Community Center, June 17-20, 9 a.m.-1 a free information fair for potential home buyers, Rankin Lake Park p.m. All are welcome, ages 8-12. Cost is $30 for Gastonia 8 a.m.-7 p.m. residents. For more information, call 704-866-6851. It is arguably one of the most beautiful parks in the state, right here in our back yards! One of its most enjoyable activities is fishing. For nominal fees you can fish from two Schiele Museum different piers or a rented boat. Novice anglers can Follow us on Twitter! borrow a rod and reel from the Lake Office. Canoes and Gastonia @CityofGastonia1 kayaks are available to rent for the recreational paddler. Free Admission Days For more information call (704)866-6849. Don’t forget free admission days at the Schiele this month.

Grizzlies back on the field The 2011 league champion Gastonia Grizzlies will host the team’s home opener on Tuesday, May 28, against the Columbia Blowfish. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the game starts at 7:30 p.m. Plan to attend and bring the whole family Team management is expecting another record-breaking season. Last year the Grizzlies, a member of the (CPL), one of the 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. nation’s most popular summer collegiate leagues, won the League’s Downtown Gastonia “Organization of the Year” award. The team led the league in categories such as attendance, coaching, fan interaction, concessions, stadium facility, Rides, games, contests, live music, promotions, and atmosphere. In 2011 the team won its first CPL championship. DJs, karaoke, car show, street vendors, The Grizzlies regular season will run through Monday, August 5. The CPL FIREWORKS! features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. For more info visit: gastoniajuly4th.com