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As engineers were busy working on Phase II of Chimney Rock Village's Streetscape construction work, town and county officials stood across Main Street and talked about the work that will transform one of the county's leading tourist destinations.
Chimney Rock Village Mayor Peter O'Leary welcomed the contingent of well wishers to the brief ceremony before leading them across the street for the official groundbreaking.
The event was hosted by Don Cason, executive director of the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and the TDA staff.
O'Leary thanked all those who are instrumental in the Rutherford Bound project going on in the Village including Rutherford County, TDA, the Appalachian Regional Commission, legislators, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock State Park, Village Council and Village Clerk/Manager Steve Duncan.
"Particularly the business owners directly affected by this project," O'Leary said of the shops along Main Street. The shops are open for business as posted along the fence in front of the shops as work is taking place.
"This project clearly illustrates and demonstrates the cooperation we are achieving in making Chimney Rock Village more like it should be," O'Leary said.
He reminded the crowd how blessed they are to be in the "beautiful Hickory Nut Gorge... thousands of people agree and want to be here with us. So, we have to plan for our visitors and do what we can to provide for them. We want the Village to be welcoming, enjoyable, walkable and memorable," he said.
O'Leary said the Village will "grow and prosper together as we are doing this together...(right now) it is loud and messy and that's a part of the process."
The construction project includes storm drains, wider sidewalks, public spaces and making the Village more accessible to "everyone and more inviting to everyone. We are providing space for the Village to grow and prosper," O'Leary said.
Phase 2 enhances the village with 650 linear feet of new pedestrian facilities by continuing the previously established sidewalk project.
O'Leary recognized the cooperation of Rutherford County, TDA, Village Council and the Village residents.
"We are building another section of the Village's Pathway to Prosperity," he added.
Four years ago Rutherford Bound began the Phase 1 of the streetscape plan in Chimney Rock Village.
"It is very heartening and a testament to the persistence and the patience the residents have for their community," he said.
Among special guests were Rep. Jake Johnson, House Deputy Majority Whip NC House of Representatives; J. Meliski, Senior Project Manager with McGill Engineering and Village shop owner; Willard Whitson, TDA chairman; James Ledgerwood, Superintendent, Chimney Rock State Park; Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett and Rutherfordton Mayor Jimmy Dancy.
The streetscape project is a key part of the village's participation in Rutherford Bound, a County initiative that invests in public spaces to help bolster tourism and improve the quality of life in the community.
"Chimney Rock Village has again partnered with Rutherford Bound and they recognize that access is critical to getting people into the Hickory Nut Gorge, where over 50 miles of state trail are planned. The village streetscape is important in creating an atmosphere where people can stop and have a jump-off point to access all these trails," said Ledgerwood, Superintendent of Chimney Rock State Park.
Rutherford Bound projects are ongoing from the East to the West in Rutherford County on various projects to improve communities.
Occupancy taxes collected by TDA help fund the projects as cooperation comes from each of the towns where work is being done.
"We come together better for everyone, not just those here, but for the visitors," said Ledgerwood.
Cason thanked the Village for its cooperation in Rutherford Bound.
He said seven years ago the TDA and 40 leaders from across the county met and asked the question, "What do we want our communities to be in the next years...We came up with a plan. Doing nothing was not an option," he said.
Already through the work of the county, cities and TDA, nine Rutherford Bound projects have been completed.
"There are 14 other projects to be done,' Cason said.
He said approximately $1 million goes into the Rutherford Bound projects each year from one-third of the county's 6 percent occupancy tax collected by visitors staying in a hotel, motel, campground, inn, Bed & Breakfast or AirB&b.
"We are maximizing this tax", Cason said the work affects the residents and the tourists.
"We want to impress our visitors and to experience the quality of life here," Cason said.
"People across the State are looking at Rutherford Bound. We are a rural community working together," he added.
The completion date goal for the Streetscape Phase 2 is June with the remainder of the project expected to be compiled by November.
