By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
The price tag for streetscape improvements in connection with “Railwalk” is high ó an estimated $875,000.
“It’s another very large ticket item,” City Manager David Treme said Tuesday.
Similar improvements made recently in the East Fisher-South Lee Street area cost about $750,000. A transportation grant administered through the state covered a good portion of those costs, however.
As of now, major grant money has not been identified for improving the 300 and 400 blocks of North Lee Street in connection with the private development of Railwalk as an arts and high-tech industrial district.
The “Railwalk” name comes from a rail spur that goes through the center of the developing warehouse district, where a majority of the properties are owned by Rowan Investment Co.
Lynn Raker, urban design planner for the city, said the streetscape improvements envisioned include the burying of power lines, a mast-arm traffic signal pole at Kerr Street, the elevation of granite curbing, brick sidewalks, street trees, pedestrian lighting and parking improvements.
She put the cost of those items at $700,000, with an additional $175,000 built in as a contingency.
A streetscape project in the 300 and 400 blocks of North Lee Street would extend the improvements already made in the area around the Salisbury Police station and F&M Trolley Barn.
On a wide screen, Raker showed City Council photographs of the area Tuesday, and Mayor Susan Kluttz asked her to return to a picture looking north from the police station toward the 300 and 400 blocks of North Lee Street.
“That’s just unacceptable,” Kluttz said of the street’s appearance now.
Existing utility poles are virtually against the warehouse buildings along the narrow sidewalks. Raker also showed severe changes in topography and the poor condition of other sidewalks, driveways and parking.
Street lights are limited.
The public and private sectors already have demonstrated an enthusiasm and support for the Railwalk district, Kluttz noted. She said the city just can’t stop at Liberty and Lee streets but has a responsibility to continue the street improvements.
“It’s not exactly an inviting street,” Councilman Mark Lewis agreed.
The city now has a plan and knows the cost, he said. The next step will be to find money for the project, Lewis added.
In the current budget year, City Council has budgeted $35,000, and Rowan Investment plans a $27,000 payment to Duke Energy for the burial of some utilities. A Community Appearance Commission incentive grant could provide an additional $5,000, making a total of $67,000 available.
To date, Rowan Investment Co. has been able to renovate spaces and attract Integro Technologies and Innovative Products and Solutions as high-tech bookends for the two-block area.
In between, Rowan Investment also has provided space for Railwalk Studios and Gallery, Cascade Sculpture, Rowan Arts Council and Looking Glass Artist Collective. The arts-related entities take advantage of spacious interiors of the old warehouses and set up studios, galleries, classrooms, offices and retail spaces.
Rowan Investment also sees potential for a restaurant, other businesses and even residential spots.
John Ketner of Rowan Investment said the area has witnessed a real transformation already.
Raker reported that the company already has $1.5 million invested in the area with an additional $5 million to $7 million possible over the next five years.
Taken as a whole, this warehouse district employed some 43 people as of June and has the potential for 135 to 200 employees in five years, Raker said.
Ketner said the warehouse district has become an incubator of sorts for arts interests and business, but developers need help from the city with infrastructure.
Rowan Investment Co. and other private property owners along the street probably will be responsible for improvements along the rail spur itself, which will be a pedestrian connection between the depot area and East Cemetery Street.
Downtown Salisbury Inc. believes the area has the potential to be a destination spot in Salisbury with much of the activity centered on the pedestrian Railwalk.
Other businesses or property owners in the area include Rouzer Auto Parts, the Salisbury Emporium, To the Pointe Dance Company, Bud and Betty Mickle’s antiques store, Beggar’s Bazaar, White Tire Service, and Linens and More Warehouse Outlet.