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Cramerton considers permeable pavers for downtown parking to improve stormwater and longevity
Summary
Engineers presented permeable pavers as an alternative to asphalt for the downtown parking lot, noting greater upfront cost but longer lifespan and stormwater benefits; the board asked staff to include paver and asphalt alternates in bid documents and to explore ARPA funding.
Cramerton officials on Oct. 7 heard engineers from LaBella recommend including permeable pavers as an alternate for the planned downtown parking lot and event space, citing stormwater infiltration and a longer service life compared with asphalt.
Danny Watson of LaBella said the proposed pavers allow runoff to seep through layered stone into a perforated pipe before reaching the South Fork River and estimated a 40-to-50-year lifespan for pavers versus about 20 years for asphalt. "Pavers are more expensive upfront but are cheaper on the long run," Watson said. He added that pavers would require about 21 inches of stone substrate in the section where they are specified.
Mayor Will Cauthen and commissioners discussed how the project could be funded and timed. Town Manager David Pugh said American Rescue Plan Act funds could be used for stormwater-related infrastructure, and Attorney Karen Wolter advised that stormwater improvements are an eligible ARPA use. Watson said an advertisement for bids could run in January with construction potentially beginning in March, allowing for a roughly three-month construction window after bidding.
The board also discussed shade sails or alternative shade structures for the plaza. Bonnie Fisher (LaBella) said foundations for shade sails must be designed in coordination with the sidewalks; if the foundation decision is delayed until after sidewalks are placed, the sidewalk would need holes cut later. Commissioners asked staff to include bid alternates for shaded-structure foundations and to coordinate with Phillip Bryson, owner of the former Masonic Lodge, who is partnering on the project.
Commissioners agreed they favored permeable pavers or stamped concrete but did not delay the bid process. Next steps: staff will prepare bid documents with alternates and follow up on potential ARPA funding and partnership timelines.
