By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — A new mural on the side of Cut Up & Dye salon this fall will welcome people to the Fulton Heights neighborhood, thanks to BlockWork.
The mural, which will be created by Salisbury High School students under the direction of Sean Hunter, is one of many improvements planned for the 1000 block of South Fulton Street during the day-long extreme makeover event on Oct. 27.
Last year, Salisbury won national recognition and a USA Weekend Make a Difference Day Award for the initial BlockWork project on South Shaver Street. The $10,000 prize will help fund this year’s event.
“It was a tremendous success last year,” Mayor Paul Woodson said.
Eight neighborhoods submitted 12 applications to the city’s Community Appearance Commission for BlockWork 2012.
The selection committee chose the South Fulton Street block for its impact on the community, feasibility and strong show of neighborhood support, Chairwoman Barbara Perry said.
The Fulton Heights National Register District, which was established in 1999, begins in the block, which includes residential and commercial properties.
The recently renovated R.L. Foil’s Grocery building now features Mambo Grill and Ibiza Deli, with a third business in the planning phase.
Residential properties are evenly split between rentals and owner-occupied houses.
Fulton Heights leaders, project site managers and city staff have met with property owners to evaluate needs and design work plans. Projects include exterior repairs like painting, porch repair, decorative fence installation and sidewalk and landscaping work.
Crew leaders have been recruited to direct specific projects and help finalize work plans.
About 90 neighborhood and community volunteers will provide labor for the work teams during the event. Property owners and residents will participate on the teams and contribute to the purchase of materials if able.
Perry said people who worked last year on South Shaver Street have called to volunteer again, even though they don’t live in the neighborhood.
“It’s important to know how many people care about the city and how much they are willing to do,” Perry told City Council Tuesday. “This is really hard work.”
The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 27, which is national Make a Difference Day. Organizers will provide breakfast, lunch and snacks. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
To sign up, call Lynn Raker by Oct. 19 at 704-638-5235 or email Lrake@salisburync.gov. No special work experience is required – just a willingness to make a difference in the community.
BlockWork is funded by grants from the Margaret C. Woodson Foundation, the Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation, the cash award from USA Weekend Magazine, Newman’s Own, the Points of Light Foundation and contributions from individual property owners.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.