| 114th Year, 31st Issue | Thursday, March 13, 2003 | Sparta, North Carolina |
The Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce recently received notification that it had been approved for a $28,775 grant to help finance renovations to the former Town Hall.
The chamber was leased the Town Hall at a nominal monthly rate after the town vacated the property in favor of its new location (the former Blue Ridge Electric Office just down the street).
The funds were awarded by the N.C. Department of Transportation and will pay for a new awning and signage for the building, interior renovations and creation of two displays commemorating the New River and the Blue Ridge Parkway in Alleghany County.
Chamber Executive Director Leanne Murray said that she is awaiting a meeting with the project coordinator with NCDOT. "Until that meeting occurs, no work can be done," Murray said.
The project was funded under fiscal year 2004, which doesn't begin until this July.
Once the project moves into the next phase, the work will go out for bids.
The entire grant amount is not slated for construction, Murray pointed out, noting that part of the funds will pay for new signage, exhibit items for the historical displays and other related costs.
The construction will need to be scheduled so as not to disrupt the chamber's regular duties any more than necessary. "We're going to try to schedule at a time when we don't typically experience large numbers of visitors to the county," she said. Early 2004 may be such a time, depending on numerous factors.
In discussing the renovations, Murray said a canvas awning labeled "Welcome Center" will be displayed, along with expanding the front area of the current office to accommodate displays for the river and the parkway.
The displays are the chamber's tie-in with transportation, which was required under the grant.
"Most of the work will involve upgrading the floors, walls and ceilings and improving the restrooms," Murray said. "We also plan to try to make this building more handicapped accessible."
The chamber's public access computer will remain in the welcome center area, along with visitor information and relocation information.
Murray said the plans for the renovations are yet to be completed and approved, but that they will be available at a later date — likely after the meeting with NCDOT representatives. "We're really looking forward to renovating the building and we hope that it will help increase foot traffic downtown," she said.
The program under which the funds were awarded, termed enhancement funds, were awarded to 104 projects statewide. Those projects received a total of $10 million in federal funds.
In order to qualify, projects had to preserve history, expand transportation options, improve the environment and support economic development across the state. The department received 200 eligible nominations from across the state requesting $50 million in funds through a statewide call last spring. Regional and statewide
Enhancement Advisory Councils selected the winning applicants. "The 104 projects chosen represent the broadened focus of government to improve the aesthetic, cultural and environmental aspects of North Carolina's transportation system," a news release from NCDOT said.
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