The Clayton Town Council on Aug. 19 adopted two capital project budget ordinances to move forward on transportation and wastewater infrastructure work.

Main Street pedestrian improvements: Council approved a capital project ordinance for pedestrian and corridor improvements on Main Street between Robertson Street and Smith Street. The project budget is approximately $4.1 million, of which about $2.2 million is grant funding (reported in the agenda packet) and the remaining approximate $1.9 million is to be funded from the general fund. Town staff said the project is in the capital improvement plan (CIP) and that survey and initial design work is underway; public stakeholder meetings and an outreach booth at downtown events are planned as design reaches 60–65%.

NCDEQ wastewater improvements: Council also adopted a capital project ordinance to accept an NCDEQ grant and to establish project budgets for a suite of wastewater upgrades, including pump station and sewer improvements at Wal‑Mart, Forest Hills and Walnut Creek pump stations, and work on the West Clayton Regional Sewer and Cornwall sewer. The total estimated project cost is roughly $41.6 million with approximately $14 million in NCDEQ grant funds; the balance would be funded by revenue bonds issued by the water/sewer system (staff estimate of roughly $27.5 million). Town staff said the projects are included in the CIP and are intended to address critical system needs.

Why it matters: The Main Street work is intended to improve pedestrian safety and connectivity downtown; the wastewater work will address aging infrastructure and system capacity constraints. Council adopted Ordinances 2025‑08‑07 and 2025‑08‑08 to appropriate the budgets and authorizations.

Next steps: Design advancement, public outreach for Main Street, and bond financing steps and DEQ implementation actions for wastewater are the next activities; town staff said usual permitting and procurement steps will follow.