Kannapolis City Manager Mike Legg Delivers Final Address

KANNAPOLIS — In a significant farewell address, City Manager Mike Legg delivered his final state of the city address on January 12, 2024, hosted by the Kannapolis History Associates. After more than 22 years in the role, Legg reflected on his tenure and the transformative journey of Kannapolis, a city shaped by its industrial legacy and evolving ambitions.

Legg opened the address with impressive statistics from his time as city manager, noting his attendance at over 750 city council meetings and collaboration with 25 of the 28 elected officials since the city’s incorporation. He framed his talk around significant historical periods of Kannapolis, starting with its origins as a company town centered around Cannon Mills, which lasted from 1906 to 1984.

Historical Overview: The Journey of Kannapolis

The company town era laid the groundwork for present-day Kannapolis, but it also posed challenges. Legg described how the community became accustomed to the stability provided by Cannon Mills. “This community as a whole got comfortable with that environment, being in a company town, and when that started to change, things got really uncomfortable,” he stated.

During this foundational period, several key establishments emerged, including the Main Street commercial district and Veterans Park, alongside infrastructural developments like Cannon Boulevard and I-85. The death of Charles Cannon in 1971 marked a turning point, leading to the eventual sale of Cannon Mills to David Murdoch, who later revitalized downtown in the 1980s.

The second phase, termed the Infant City, began with the city’s incorporation in 1984 and lasted until 1998. Legg noted the struggle for self-determination as the city sought to develop independently from the mill. “Self-determination was not part of our history,” he remarked, highlighting the intense political infighting that accompanied decisions on governance and zoning.

Despite these challenges, Kannapolis made bold moves, including the introduction of minor league baseball in 1995, a decision Legg described as one of the city’s most audacious. “For a city that’s less than 10 years old, to make a big decision like that… was pretty bold,” he said.

The following years saw the city navigate the Adolescent City phase from 1998 to 2003, during which it worked to establish its identity amid the decline of textile manufacturing, highlighted by the bankruptcy of Pillowtex. The city faced a harsh reality during the Devastated City period from 2003 to 2005, when the closure of Pillowtex forced Kannapolis to confront the consequences of its previous economic reliance on a single industry.

Legg emphasized the resilience of the community during this time, stating, “It is in some ways therapeutic to think back on how we survived all that because we did.”

During the Transforming City phase from 2005 to 2010, Kannapolis saw the arrival of the North Carolina Research Campus, which required significant investment and the demolition of old textile facilities. This period also marked the establishment of a public transit system and a new water treatment plant.

The Conflicted City from 2010 to 2013, however, was characterized by the Great Recession, which halted investment and development. “The campus never recovered from the Great Recession,” Legg noted, reflecting on the impact of economic downturns on local growth.

The final phase, from 2014 to the present, has brought renewed vitality to the city. Legg highlighted the construction of new infrastructure, including city hall and police headquarters, and the revitalization of downtown areas. The population has doubled since 2004, now totaling approximately 60,500 residents, with a city budget that has quadrupled to about $126 million.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Kannapolis

As Legg prepares to pass the baton to Wilmer Melton, the current Public Works Director, he discussed the upcoming personnel changes and the emphasis on growth in key areas such as public transit, affordable housing, and industrial development. He encouraged the community to find a balance in managing growth while being mindful of diverse perspectives on sustainability.

Legg also addressed the emergence of partisan politics in local elections, urging that community needs should transcend political affiliations. He stated, “A pothole is not a Democrat or a Republican. It’s just a pothole.”

In his closing remarks, Legg expressed gratitude to the residents of Kannapolis for allowing him to serve as city manager for so long. “It’s been a thrill of a lifetime. I couldn’t imagine a better place. Kannapolis gets in your blood,” he said. His insights on the role of artificial intelligence in local governance underscored a forward-thinking approach as he anticipates both challenges and opportunities in the evolving landscape of city management.

As Kannapolis transitions to new leadership, Legg’s legacy appears firmly rooted in the community’s ongoing journey of growth and resilience.