Sunset Drive Update

Good afternoon Sunset Drive and Ransom Street Business Owners -    In hopes of continued transparency I would like to begin monthly or sooner updates with regards to the construction taking place.  In this email you will find work accomplished in the past 30 days along with a work plan for the next 30 days.  Also, so additional coordination items will be included. 

4^th of July work schedule – Iron Mountain will work as normally scheduled Monday(1^st) – Wednesday(3^rd) of next week.  All work will stop for Thursday the 4^th through Sunday the 7^th of July.

-          An asphalt binder will be placed along the remaining gravel areas prior to Wednesday July 3^rd. 

Here are the detailed minutes of the latest progress meeting:

WORK COMPLETED PREVIOUS MONTH

Mr. Sam Icenhour (Iron Mountain) reviewed the previous work completed the last 30 days.

• Completed all the 12” & 8” sewer main on Sunset Drive.

• Installed 75% of all sewer service laterals.

• Installed concrete sidewalk and curb & gutter along the south side of Sunset Dr adjacent

to the First Baptist Church and up to Ransom Street.

• Placed temporary asphalt binder in trench in front of the Alpine Village to try and help

minimize dust.

• Installed 100 LF of 6” Water Main across the box culvert on the north side of Sunset Dr.

• Placed permanent asphalt binder between box culvert & Ransom Street.

• Installed the retaining wall on the south side of Sunset Dr.

WORK SCHEDULED UPCOMING MONTH & SCHEDULE UPDATE

Mr. Icenhour reviewed the work forthcoming the next 30 days.

• Install the proposed retaining wall on the north side of Sunset Dr.

• Continue & complete the sewer laterals.

• Continue with the 6” water main installation

Continue with the asphalt binder placement in the sewer line trench.

• Continue with the concrete sidewalk and curb & gutter placement.

COORDINATION ITEMS

Mr. Doug Chapman (McGill) requested that Iron Mountain be mindful of the NCDOT’s landscaping

activities taking place along Valley Blvd, and to coordinate with Mr. Johnathon Walker with

Piedmont Landscaping if needed regarding the proposed 6” water line tie in along Valley Blvd.

Discussions took place regarding the number of complaints the Town has received about dust.

Mr. Sam Icenhour stated that a water truck is being used to try a help minimize the dust issues.

Mr. Curtis Baker stated that the water truck shall run continuously throughout the day when there

is no rain scheduled. Mr. Sam Icenhour stated that traffic speeds seem to be a big part of the

dust issues, and it would help if the Town could have Sunset Drive policed throughout the day to

help minimize speeds. Mr. Shane Fox stated that the Town would start with placing a police car

onsite close by in an attempt to get the public to slow down. Mr. Icenhour also stated that asphalt

binder will continue to be placed so that the water truck can be minimized.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to better our town! 

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or issues. 

Shane Fox

Town Manager

Town of Blowing Rock

1036 Main Street

PO Box 47

Blowing Rock, NC 28605

828-295-5200 (Office)

828-295-5202 (Fax)

Now on display at Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery

Now on display at Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery, a new painting by internationally recognized wildlife artist Karla Mann! This cute wildlife painting is a beautiful composition and is realistic even down to the tiny hairs on each fox. The gallery is preparing for their upcoming July show, featuring a group show featuring all of the gallery’s artists starting July 8^th and running through July 19^th. A reception will be held at the gallery on Saturday, July 13^th from 5pm to 8pm. The show will feature a variety of styles, sizes, and subject matter all centering on “Blowing Rock’s Scenic Views” like the Blowing Rock, Chetola, sights from Green Hill Rd, Flannery Fork, the Blue Ridge Parkway and many other well-known natural areas. Blowing Rock is a beautiful town, and this show will reach to capture the unique quality of life here tucked away in the mountains of Western NC. Some of the artists featured in the show are Robin Wellner, Lita Gatlin, Dave Syfert, Kyle Buckland, Amy Sullivan, Richard Fennell. The show will also feature more wildlife paintings by Karla Mann. Please call the gallery with any questions or concerns. Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. If you are interested in receiving real time updates from Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery, please head to blowingrockgalleries.com and sign up for the email subscription on the homepage!

Weekly Village Update 6.13.19

Important Upcoming Chamber Events

·     Ribbon Cutting: El Rincon on Main St., Fri, June 14 at 3 pm - free refreshments! ·     Ginny Stevens Lane Dedication Ceremony: Sunday, June 16 at 4 pm, Edgewood Cottage ·     Committee Meeting Entrepreneurial & Business Dev: Tues, June 18 at 3:30 pm ·     Business After Hours, Tues, June 18 at 5:30 pm: Hosted by 4 Forty Four, Jenkins Realtors & Catered by Moondance Catering. 452 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock ·     Ribbon Cutting: Village Thrift on Valley Blvd, Wed, June 19 at 9:30 am ·     Ribbon Cutting: Horton Hotel & Rooftop Lounge, Sun, June 23 at 3 pm ·     Committee Meeting Community, Gov't & Education: Tues, June 25 at 3:30 pm ·     Ribbon Cutting: Funky Tulip on Main St., Thurs, June 27 at 5 pm ·     Ribbon Cutting: Chef & Somm on Main St., Fri, June 28 at 5 pm

Business After Hours June 18th at 5:30 pm Hosted by 4 Forty Four & Jenkins Realtors Inc Catered by Moondance Catering 452 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock Join us for this amazing event! The pair make great neighbors - both located on the corner of Sunset Drive and Hwy 321. 4 Forty Four is a full service custom construction, renovation, interior design and consulting business. Jenkins Realtors has been serving the High Country with real estate and rentals for over 40 years.  * Door Prize for early registration – Vx3 Trail Ride for 2 with Lunch included * Door Prize for completion of punch card received at sign in – Best Cellar $250 gift certificate!

RSVP to win! LOCATION 452 Sunset Dr, Blowing Rock DATE AND TIME 06/18/19 5:30pm - 06/18/19 7:00pm Door Prize for Early Registration: Vx3 Trail Ride for 2 with lunch included I will be there! Maybe I can not make it.

Ribbon Cutting: El Rincon Friday, June 14th at 3 pm 870 Main Street  Free samples and refreshments!! Help us welcome El Rincon to Main Street! Owner Letecia Ruiz has accomplished her dream of opening her own restaurant after years of working at Southern Comforts in the same space. She is offering breakfast, lunch and dinner every day with American and Mexican food on the menu. Please join us!

Ginny Stevens Lane Dedication Sunday June 16, 2019 at 4 pm Friends of Ginny Stevens invite you to the dedication of GINNY STEVENS LANE on the lawn of Edgewood Cottage. Reception to follow at Rumple Fellowship Hall. (Enter across from BRAHM)

Ribbon Cutting: Village Thrift Wed, June 19th at 9:30 am 8332 Valley Boulevard This wonderful addition to our community will benefit the Blowing Rock Women's Club's scholarship program. Save money, find great treasures, and give back. Please join us and plan to shop!

Highlights from our June Board Meeting ·     Chetola Resort has appointed Angus Lamond to represent their seat on the Chamber board. ·     2019 Service Industry Staffing Issues - The board heard from several local businesses in the restaurant, lodging and retail industries who are struggling to find enough employees to be open 7 days a week this summer. Staffing continues to be our biggest challenge in tourism. Business owners shared the multitude of tactics they've used to attempt to find help, retention strategies, and trends that they're seeing with employment which include these interesting takeaways: ·     Our unemployment rate is 2.9%. Further, 3% of the population is un-employable. So most people who are able to work are working. The pool is very small right now. Many businesses are engaging in employee sharing. ·     There is a trend at App State with students taking the majority of their summer courses online. This means less students are around to work during the summer. Student labor rates have fallen drastically and we are seeing less and less students join the service industry workforce during college; and a rise in affluent student populations. ·     Housing continues to be a challenge for workers in Blowing Rock, with most of our workforce commuting from long distances. ·     The Board discussed all of these issues and brainstormed many avenues to resolve these issues. ·     Our workforce issues will continue to be discussed and long term work to alleviate these issues will continue in our EDC committee meetings.

Member News

Electric Vehicle Showcase Saturday, June 22 2 - 5 pm at Tanger Outlets ·     Check out a variety of EV models including Tesla, Nissan, Chevy and more. ·     Talk with local EV owners. ·     Shop the stores of Tanger Outlets while you're there and enjoy their new courtyard, fire pit and games area! ·     Enjoy great music in the courtyard by Strictly Clean and Decent at the Concerts in the Courtyard from 4 - 7 pm. ·     New EV chargers being installed at Tanger this month! ·     Presented in partnership by Tanger Outlets and Blue Ridge Energy Click here for the flyer

Downtown Businesses Decorate for Mile of Flowers We are asking all downtown businesses to decorate their storefronts and windows with a special "Mile of Flowers" theme the week of June 23 - 29. All displays should go up by Monday, June 24th to qualify. Judging will happen on Thursday, June 27th with awards going to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Contact Annie Tarbutton with questions. Click here for details on the Mile of Flowers event.

Expert Tip on the Chamber blog this week: The Right Insurance Can Meet Both Short and Long Term Needs If you’re going to achieve your important financial goals, you’ll need to build an appropriate investment portfolio. But that’s only part of the story – because you also need to protect what you have, what you earn and what you’d like to leave behind. That’s why it’s a good idea to become familiar with the various types of insurance and how they can address short- and long-term needs. Read more on the blog.

This week in photos

Grilled Cheese Cafe Ribbon Cutting in SouthMarke

Symphony Tents Available There are a few tent party locations in the center section that are not yet reserved. This is a great opportunity to host a private party or to promote your business or non-profit organization to an audience of 3,000+. More info and pricing can be viewed on the Symphony website. Please contact Sarah for details on availability. This year's event is July 26th.

Upcoming Community Events

·     (John Aldridge) Children's Book Signing at The Blowing Rock, June 15 from 2 pm - 5 pm ·     Concerts in the Park June 16 will feature The King Bees. Details ·     3rd Annual Shagging at the Rock will happen on June 22. Details ·     Blue Ridge Mountain Club hosts its Annual Summer Soulstice day of fun on June 22. Live music, food, fun for kids and adults, all to benefit Hospitality House. Details ·     Movies in the Park will feature "Black Panther" on Thursday, June 27 at 8:30 pm. Details ·     Lees McRae's Summer Theatre Series kicks off on June 27 with Mamma Mia! Details ·     Appalachian Summer Festival kicks off the season with Ben Folds on June 29. Details

More events can be found on our online calendar. To submit your news to our weekly newsletter, email Loni@BlowingRock.com by Wednesday. Our newsletter reaches over 1,000 member contacts each Thursday!