Medlin & Medlin, PA
Attorney at Law
(704) 786-8173
Concord, NC 

EXTREMIST GROUP IN CONCORD THREATENS TO STRANGULATE
DOWNTOWN CONCORD

In 2005, Steve Medlin served as public speaker and led a group of citizens determined to keep a new county jail, and ultimately all county government, in downtown Concord.

Steve’s community activism and public speaking were needed in 2005 when the Cabarrus County jail was bursting at the seams with far too many inmates.  Overflow inmates were required by the State to be housed in adjoining counties at great expense to Cabarrus County citizens.  The County planned to erect a new jail across Corban Street from an existing jail.  A small group of extremely vocal citizens argued that the new jail should be moved outside of the downtown area completely. 

Steve served as community organizer and public speaker and led citizens who spoke at both City of Concord and Cabarrus County public hearings to keep the jail downtown where it had been located since the 1700’s.  Steve’s group wanted to preserve the economic viability of downtown Concord.  Hundreds of county employees work in downtown and are important to its economic future and economic viability.  Steve’s group felt that once the jail left downtown, the rest of county government would follow to a remote site in the county.  Soon the support offices such as attorneys, restaurants, bail bondsmen, etc. that assist government services would leave also.  A ghost town would be all that was left behind. 

A downtown shopping district is unlike a shopping mall or strip mall at a main highway.  It is an economic generator for the county but it is much more fragile.  It was important to keep the jail, its employees, as well as all other county employees, in the downtown as to maintain the downtown area able to survive economically. 

When the dust settled, the new jail was constructed in the old downtown.  Downtown Concord thrives today.  When anyone tries to find the new six story jail, they will have quite a challenge.  Most of the building is below street level and, even it if it is viewed at all, it doesn’t look like a jail!

OUR NEW JAIL is located behind the Sheriff's Dept pictured here.  The jail can not be seen from downtown and it was designed to look like a textile mill to blend in to the historical community. See the 2nd and 3rd picture below.

Side of new Jail

Rear of new Jail