Building back from the brink
After twin tragedies in 2021 and 2023, the town of Canton still has a substantial list of ongoing projects in various stages of completion — in addition to the usual long-range planning initiatives most municipalities at some point undertake.
According to Canton Recovery and Resiliency Manager Nick Scheuer’s resignation letter, lots of work has been done, but there’s still much more to do.
Flood recovery
On Aug. 17, 2021, heavy rains associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred raged down the Pigeon River, inundating downtown Canton, destroying multiple town facilities and killing six people along the way. For many projects, the end is in sight. For others, it’s not.
• Rhoda/Meadowbrook/Skyline Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) project
A notice to proceed (NTP) has been issued and the project is underway.
• Town Hall/Police department FEMA project
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Existing Town Hall demolition postponed until after Labor Day. Phase 2 proposal negotiations complete, including a 30% fee reduction by Creech & Associates. Phase 2 still needs review and approval from Canton’s governing board before the NTP can be issued.
• Fire department relocation
Phase 2 proposal negotiations complete. Congressional Designated Spending Request has been submitted to Sen. Thom Tillis and the town awaits a notice of award. The location of the new fire department has been discussed during negotiations over the future of the 185-acre mill parcel.
• Armory FEMA project
Phase 2 design and development is underway.
• Colonial Theater FEMA project
Phase 1 needs review and approval from governing board but has been tabled to focus on much-needed revenue-generating projects like the Armory.
• Camp Hope FEMA project
Requests for qualifications (RFQs) for an architect and for a historic preservation study mandated by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) are ready to post.
• Camp Hope bridge repair
Assessment and design are complete and are awaiting the development of a request for proposals (RFP).
• Chestnut Mountain bridge replacement
A NTP has been issued and project mobilization is underway.
• FEMA museum project
Awaiting flood panel delivery and final certificate of completion.
• FEMA lift station project
The first round of RFPs didn‘t meet the procurement requirements, so a second round has been posted.
• U.S. Economic Development Agency Flood-Affected Communities grant
A cultural resource study requested by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is complete and has been submitted to the EDA. The town is awaiting award notification.
• Flood risk reduction grant
Appraisal of the Freeman property has been completed, but the town is awaiting negotiations and potential acquisition of flood-prone property. Coordination with Haywood Waterways on a flood risk report is ongoing.
• Coastal Dynamics Design Lab flood monitoring/NCOR initiative
Flood model is complete, coordination with related projects is ongoing.
• FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant
The town awaits a potential award.
Mill recovery
On March 6, 2023, Pactiv Evergreen shocked Western North Carolina by announcing it would close its century-old mill in three months and throw roughly 1,000 employees out of work. The economic ripple effect, and the future of the 185-acre mill parcel, remain major concerns for the town and the region.
• North Carolina LWF property acquisition grant
Supporting documents must still be submitted, however an application to the North Carolina Land and Water Fund has been submitted.
• North Carolina EEG acquisition grant
An application to the North Carolina Department of Justice has been submitted and will serve as matching funds for the LWF grant, if approved.
• SHPO historic preservation study list
A study list application has been awarded, but the town is still attempting to identify alternative funding for a historic preservation application that if successful would open up redevelopment and historic preservation tax credits.
• Mill site master plan
The St. Louis-based demo/developer attempting to purchase the mill site from Pactiv, Spirtas Worldwide, has expressed interest in moving forward with a master plan. Spirtas has signed a letter of intent to purchase the parcel but is still in the due diligence phase of the deal.
• Recovery officer grant
The grant, from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), currently pays Scheuer’s salary. His most recent progress report has been submitted.
• Mill negotiation support
Project closeout documentation has yet to be submitted.
• Waste water treatment plant negotiations
Preliminary analysis of necessary improvements are complete. Assessment of comparable systems and utility rates are underway. Other negotiations and discussion are ongoing as is coordination with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
• University of North Carolina NCGrowth economic impact study
An assessment of the full impact of the mill’s closure is underway.
• Mill site negotiations
Negotiations with Spirtas related to public health, public safety, economic development, flood mitigation and resiliency are ongoing.
• North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) direct allocation for waste water treatment plant
Siting negotiations are underway.
• NCGA direct allocation for water and waste water treatment
Budgets have been approved and submitted to the North Carolina Department of Water Infrastructure, and a range of projects like filter plant improvements and an inflow/infiltration study are underway.
Community, economic and recreational development planning
If nothing else, the twin tragedies visited upon Canton brought the town’s historic lack of long-range planning to the forefront. Comprehensive planning and development goals will point the way to the Canton of the future, putting all the cards out on the table for developers, property owners and residents.
• Comprehensive plan
RFQ is ready to post.
• Uniform development ordinance
Community Development Block Grant agreement has been signed and an RFQ will follow when the comprehensive plan reaches 60% completion.
• Capital improvement plan
Community Development Block Grant agreement has been signed, but the RFQ needs to be developed.
• Rural transformation grant
RFQ for the design and build is ready to post.
• Appalachian Regional Commission Park Street Streetscape grant
Transit-oriented communities (TOC) pre-application has been approved, project has been selected to submit application to the U.S. Department of Commerce by July 31.
• Recreation master plan
Community Development Block Grant agreement has been signed, but the RFQ needs to be developed.
• New business development
Discussions with prospective business owners are ongoing, as is the population of a database with entities interested in mill redevelopment.
• All-abilities playground
Project is six weeks from completion and private fundraising for a small budget gap continues.
• Chestnut Mountain North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant
Construction documents for the pavilion and restrooms are complete. Pavilion material is on site awaiting install after grading RFP. Reimbursement requests are awaiting submission to the North Carolina Department of Conservation and Resources.
• Chestnut Mountain Department of Natural and Cultural Resources direct award
The trail portion of the grant has been completed, but the project is awaiting the completion of the kids bicycle playground.
• Haywood County Tourism Development Authority grant for kids bicycle playground
Awaiting procurement and construction.
• Chestnut Mountain stream restoration
Project underway on Hominy Creek, as is coordination with TOC and Haywood Waterways for in-kind LWF grant for hauling and disposal of excess material.
