A Mooresville official said the town would not force landowners to pay for $9.5 million in road improvements and a new bridge over Interstate 77, even though a state law would allow town officials to pursue a special assessment.

“We don’t believe in involuntary assessments,” said Commissioner Chris Carney.

As reported Feb. 24 in Carolina Journal Online, Mooresville developer Steve McGlothlin, whose companies own land near the interstate, used one of his companies to bankroll half the cost of a feasibility study performed by WSP Sells. The town paid the remaining half of the study’s costs.

The study faced criticism from David Hartgen, an emeritus professor of transportation studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Hartgen reviewed the study and concluded that the bridge would not ease traffic congestion but would improve highway access for nearby businesses at public expense.

“If you’re going to accuse me of trying to do things for economic development to create jobs – guilty,” said Town Manager Steve Husemann. “That’s what we’re here for.”

Town officials had talked about financing the work by setting up a special assessment district requiring area landowners to pay for most of the project over up to 30 years by placing liens placed on their property. If any refused to pay, the town could start foreclosure proceedings.

The district could be set up through state laws passed in 2008 and 2009. State Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, R-Cabarrus, sponsored the 2009 law. Hartsell has not returned calls seeking comment on this matter.

Husemann said the town has sent about 460 letters to area residents telling them that there will be no assessment district.

Town commissioners were scheduled to vote Monday on adopting the study but tabled the vote until next month’s meeting.

Husemann said the town might change the location of some of the proposed road improvements near Bluefield Road because of residents’ objections.

“We are trying to respond to the concerns,” he said.

Mike Brotherton, who lives near the site of the proposed bridge, questioned what influence McGlothlin would have on the project.

“When one individual can pay for the study and own the majority of land around it, personal gain is a factor,” Brotherton said.

But Brian Dehler, the North Carolina transportation manager for WSP Sells, said McGlothin’s financial involvement didn’t affect the study’s conclusions.

“Trying to apply sound engineering judgment, the results will be what the results will be,” Dehler said.

Sarah Okeson is a contributor to Carolina Journal.