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Waynesville council approves brick sidewalk extension on Walnut Street in historic district
Summary
The council directed staff to install brick sidewalk on the historic side of Walnut Street to Boundary Street, approving a motion after reviewing DOT project plans and cost estimates; staff will prepare a formal budget amendment.
Town staff briefed council on the North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) Russ Avenue project and options for Walnut Street, which is part of US-276 and borders a National Register historic district. The town's engineer provided cost estimates: a $54,526 differential to match brick on both sides for a segment, and an estimate of up to about $90,000 to run brick to Boundary Street for the historic frontage.
Council members debated aesthetic value, preservation concerns and near-term cost. One councilmember noted the town has roughly $22,000 in fee-in-lieu funds from prior development projects that could contribute to the work. Several members argued the current DOT construction window makes it less costly now than retrofitting later.
After discussion, a motion was made to install brick sidewalk down the historic side all the way to Boundary Street (one side only). The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote; one councilmember said, "I'll vote against it." Council directed staff to work with finance and DOT's engineer and to return with a formal budget proposal (a budget amendment will be prepared), with staff noting that the DOT contractor could perform the work as an amendment to the contract.
What comes next: staff will prepare a budget amendment and coordinate with DOT's engineer on contract amendment language and cost confirmation before construction.
