Public meeting for proposal on Tuesday

SYLVA – A plan that started as an idea in the Clay County Transportation Plan is starting to take shape.

The N.C. Department of Transportation is seeking feedback before taking the next step in helping Clay County residents enjoy an improved stretch of U.S. 64 Business.

An open-house public meeting regarding this proposed project will be hosted by NCDOT from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 14 at First United Methodist Church, 989 U.S. 64 Business in Hayesville.

Improvements are needed to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian transportation to downtown Hayesville and U.S. 64. The proposed project would improve a segment of U.S. 64 — which is currently a two-lane highway with nine-foot wide lanes and no paved shoulders — by adding bicycle and pedestrian facilities along U.S. 64 Business.  The improvements would start at the intersection with Main Street, follow the loop made by U.S. 64 Business, and back south to the government complex.

The proposed project would be a step forward toward accomplishing two goals established by the Clay County Comprehensive Transportation Planning Committee. It would provide citizens and visitors mode choices for their transportation needs and it would ease mobility in Clay County and the surrounding area.

Interested citizens may attend the meeting at any time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Maps of the proposed improvements will be displayed, and NCDOT staff will be available to provide information, answer questions and receive comments.

Maps of the proposal are available online.

Contact Division 14 Assistant DDC Engineer Mac McDowell at kjmcdowell@ncdot.gov or 828-488-2131 for more information or to submit thoughts on the project. Comments should be submitted by Aug. 28.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate. Anyone requiring special services should contact NCDOT Senior Public Involvement Officer Diane Wilson at 919-707-6073 or pdwilson1@ncdot.gov so arrangements can be made.

Persons who speak Spanish or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.

Smoky Mountain Host is pleased to work jointly with the N.C. Department of Commerce to organize a “listening session” for the new Office of Outdoor Recreation, approved by the N.C. General Assembly and housed in the N.C. Department of Commerce. David Knight was recently appointed to head up the office. He is conducting “listening” tours across the state. He will be in our region on May 10, 3:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. at Southwestern Commission Offices (Region A Council of Governments). The Commission Offices are located at 125 Bonnie Lane, Sylva, or better know as Webster…..directly across from the main entrance to Southwestern Community College.

This is an important initiative and we at Smoky Mountain Host encourage you to attend. We at Smoky Mountain Host are about to embark on a major regional outdoors initiative that will include the development of a strategic regional plan to develop and promote outdoor recreation. We are encouraging specifically that owners of businesses that support the outdoor recreation industry in our region attend and give Mr. Knight input as we seek to raise the profile of the contributions the outdoors industry makes to the state’s economy.

I wanted to make you aware of a listening session being conducted by David Knight, Director of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office for North Carolina.  The intent of the session is to hear form you and understand your perspective on the industry.  Below are a few meeting objectives.

• Build relationships and a common understanding of the opportunities and barriers around growing the outdoor recreation industry in your region.
• Gain a common analysis on what is working to grow an outdoor recreation economy in your region, and what challenges current efforts face.
• Highlight key outdoor recreation assets and attractions in your region.
• Identify new ideas to support, promote, & expand outdoor recreation employment opportunities locally and regionally.

The meeting will be held at the Southwestern Commission Offices on May 10^th at 3:30. The address is 125 Bonnie Lane, Webster, N.C., right across from the main entrance to Southwest Community College.

Refreshments will be provided by Smoky Mountain Host.

For additional details contact:

David P. Huskins
Managing Director for Operations
Smoky Mountain Host of N.C., Inc.
4437 Georgia Road
Franklin, North Carolina  28734

Cell:  828.691.3300; FAX:  828.524.2416
david@visitsmokies.org