A major mixed-use project being proposed for a two-block area in downtown Mebane which for decades was anchored by the Kingsdown mattress factory is likely being postponed from the city council’s agenda for its next meeting Monday night.
An agenda put out late on Wednesday says that the developer is asking that the rezoning public hearing, which is scheduled for the night of August 1, be postponed until the council’s October 3 meeting.
The proposed project between West Washington and West Holt streets would span about 5.74 acres, divided by South Third Street, which runs between the two blocks.
Only one existing building, on the northeast corner of the 200 block of West Washington/West Holt streets – one of the older parts of the company, known as the “cotton building” – would be preserved, according to the developer’s plans.
The main office and manufacturing building in the 100 block of West Washington/West Holt streets would be demolished.
There would be 268 apartments – studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom – in five, four-story buildings. The “cotton building” would serve as a clubhouse for an adjacent swimming pool; and a second story would provide “community space” for residents (of the property and otherwise) to use.

But the project drew a negative response from the planning board, which voted last week 7-0 against recommending rezoning for the proposed project.
Read coverage of the planning board discussion about the project at its July 18 meeting: https://alamancenews.com/planning-board-ok-with-single-family-townhouse-projects-but-opposes-268-apts-in-downtown/
- Mixed reaction from residents: https://alamancenews.com/what-mebane-residents-said-about-the-downtown-apartment-complex-proposal/
- Who’s in charge of deciding whether Mebane Public Library can enter into agreement with private apartment complex for “overflow” parking? https://alamancenews.com/who-decides-whether-library-parking-lot-can-be-used-for-apt-s-overflow-parking/
- The 2018 “downtown vision plan” was frequently cited as rationale for some aspects of the developer’s mixed-use development; but how similar is it? https://alamancenews.com/how-does-apt-proposal-compare-to-vision-plan-from-2018/