April 8, 2013
Mayor and Board, I am pleased to update you this evening about what is happening with the Town Square project.
You may have noticed that within the past week, the fragment of wall left standing at the west end of the property has been taken down as well as the wood fence along the sidewalk and the old light pole. Additional soil has been brought in to bring the surface up to the sidewalk level so people can walk into the space without any hindrance. Continue reading
The first winning entry in the Black Mountain Town Square Drawing Contest. This creative entry was submitted by Black Mountain primary first grader, Mary Margaret Hurt. Continue reading
Dr. John DeWitt, Fundraising co-chair for the Town Square Steering Committee, received a donation from the third graders at Black Mountain Primary School culminating their efforts during two weeks of raising Pennies for the Square. For participating, their school will receive a brick in the Square. Similar campaigns will be held in April at the Elementary and Montessori Schools.
Dr. John DeWitt receives a donation from the third graders at Black Mountain Primary School’s Pennies for the Square contest.
March 2013 kicks-off the public phase of fundraising for Town Square. During the next several months we many exciting activities planned, including four Saturday afternoon concerts on the Square. The first campaign to roll out is Pennies for the Square, a program designed specifically for school children in Black Mountain. During this campaign, children will receive a flyer to take home describing the Town Square project as well as a Town Square logo sticker. Then, they will collect change to put in jars which will then be given to the Town Square project. The class with the most change will win a popcorn party! Continue reading
On Tuesday, March 19, 2013, the Buncombe County Commissioners heard a request made the Town Square Steering Committee for a $50,000 grant to be used toward building the restrooms on the Town Square property. Continue reading
From the beginning of the Town Square project, volunteers have played an important part in doing whatever was necessary at that particular stage of the process. In keeping with the vision of using local craftsmen, contractors, artisans, and volunteers, the Town Square Steering Committee has scheduled a work day for Saturday, July 7th beginning at 9:00 a.m. Continue reading
Town Square Steering Committee
Report to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen
April 9, 2012
The Town Square Steering Committee would like to submit the following status report of ongoing activities in regard to the Town Square project.
Subsequent to this board’s adoption of the concept plan presented at the meeting of February 13, 2012, the Steering Committee has secured the services of Sims & Steele Consulting to assist with the fundraising portion of the project. At this time, we are in the process of forming a Campaign Planning Committee that will provide oversight of the fundraising activities. Continue reading
Black Mountain Town Square Ribbon Cutting
Left to right: Carlos Showers, Maggie Tuttle, Carl Bartlett, Tim Rayburn, Fran McCaskill, Tom Gill
On Friday, March 23, 2012 Mayor Carl Bartlett and Aldermen Maggie Tuttle, Carlos Showers and Tim Rayburn participated in a ribbon cutting and ground breaking event at Town Square. Mayor Bartlett opened the event with remarks about the Town Square and how it will enhance the entire downtown area. He called on all of the residents to draw together to see this become another jewel in Black Mountain’s crown, likening the Town Square to Lake Tomahawk, Rec Park, and other popular venues. Steering Committee chair, Tom Gill, then recognized the artists and businesses who donated time, money and expertise to decorate the wall that ran through the west end of the property. Continue reading
Mayor Carl Bartlett and the Black Mountain Board of Aldermen, Maggie Tuttle, Don Collins, Mike Sobol, Tim Rayburn and Carlos Showers will participate in a ribbon-cutting and ground breaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of development of the Town Square project. The ceremony will commence at 3:00pm on Friday, March 23, 2012 on the Town Square site.
Town crews will then remove the existing wall on the west end of the property as well as an area of asphalt and concrete so the slope can be graded and grass planted. These safety measures are taken in preparation of the site being developed after fund-raising efforts secure the necessary amount to develop the site according to the already approved concept design.
The Board of Aldermen voted 4 to 1 to approve the concept plan presented at their regularly scheduled meeting held on Monday, February 13, 2012. This means that plans for fundraising, grant writing and architect design can proceed (click to download the brochure). The motion to accept the concept plan came after a report was presented by Town Square Steering Committee chair, Tom Gill (click to download the report).
Plans are already in place to do some preliminary grading on the west end of the property in mid March weather permitting. The wall running east to west will be removed, the slope graded and grass will be planted so that residents and visitors can begin to use the space.
