Former Acme-McCrary mill to be upfitted for apartments

ASHEBORO — The former Acme-McCrary Mill is set to be refurbished, adding more than 100 multi-family apartment units within the building

At the Asheboro City Council’s Nov. 6 meeting, the council approved a rezoning request for just less than three acres of property located at 113, 114 and 159 North St. and 151 North Fayetteville St. to be rezoned to a Office-Apartment Conditional Zoning for the purpose of a multifamily residential development.

“This is what we do,” said Herb Coleman of Clachan Properties, the developer for the project. “There are a lot of easier ways to make a living, but it’s a labor of love and the buildings are special and when they’re done, they’re one of a kind.”

The properties comprise the vacant former Acme-McCrary Mill as well as a former law office, and the current plan calls for the building to be upfitted with 151 total units 151 units — 77 one-bedroom, 70 two-bedroom and four three-bedroom.

“The Acme-McCrary Mill building is proposed to be the same footprint as it is now,” said Justin Luck, planning and zoning director.

“(Clachan) restores historic buildings and properties and has done so in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina,” said attorney Bob Wilhoit, who was representing the applicant. “This is not their first rodeo. They’ve done this in three states and they pick and choose properties and are very selective. And they’ve done a remarkable job. So well, that Downtown Asheboro vetted them and sold them the last remaining parcel of the Acme-McCrary building.”

Initial plans for the property propose having recreational spaces, a rooftop pool, fitness areas, a clubhouse and 155 available parking spaces, which includes the public ones on North Street.

The law office, which is located at 151 North Fayetteville St., will be removed and replaced with parking.

“While the Acme-McCrary Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is part of the Downtown Asheboro Historic District and is listed as a local landmark, the 152 North Fayetteville St. building is not,” Luck said.

The zoning also would allow up to 7,500 square feet of nonresidential uses, which according to the applicant, would more than likely be for restaurants on the ground floor should they choose to implement commercial on the property.

“They’re going to produce some really needed housing apartments in the downtown area,” Wilhoit said. “I think that will only enhance the area when people are down here. Their efforts will save this building, enhance it and bring opportunities for other citizens. They want this property to be significant, to be restored and for this historic property to still stand.”

The council held two public hearings for rezoning requests, with the first being for just less than six acres of property located at the eastern corner of West Balfour Avenue and Canoy Drive to go from Medium Density Residential to Light Industrial Conditional Zoning for the construction of a 20,000 square foot facility.

Per the applicant, the purpose of the facility will be to increase freezer storage capacity for the adjacent operations at the Randolph Packing facility directly across Balfour Avenue as well as increase employee parking.

The Asheboro City Council will next meet Dec. 4.