JUNE 11, 2009 ISSUE
Blowing Rock Council Approves Second Parking Deck
With the approval of a $1 million financing agreement at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, the Blowing Rock Town Council gave the final nod to a two-level, 58-space parking deck adjacent to the planned Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM).
BRAHM plans to build a three-story, 23,188-square-foot museum building at the corner of Chestnut and Wallingford streets in downtown Blowing Rock. The project has been planned as a joint public-private venture between the Town of Blowing Rock and BRAHM. The town and museum have agreed to construct adjacent museum and parking facilities simultaneously to save on costs—the museum will pay for the museum facility, and the town will pay for the public parking facility.
In August 2008, the council voted to approve a conditional use permit (CUP) for the museum but to delay a final decision on the parking deck until BRAHM could present costs and final designs.
In April, the council voted 4-1 to amend the CUP to approve a parking deck design for 58 spaces, six less than the original design for 64 spaces. Council member Tommy Klutz cast the dissenting vote against the amendment because he favors a surface parking lot for the museum.
The costs of the parking deck construction are estimated at $1.3 million. The town will fund $300,000 of the project costs with funds already on hand.
On Tuesday, Town Manager Scott Hildebran presented financing options from various banks for the remaining $1 million of the project costs. Staff recommended a 15-year loan with First Citizens Bank at a 4.08 percent annual rate. The town council voted 4-1 to approve the financing agreement, with Klutz casting the dissenting vote.
The parking deck will be the second such facility in downtown Blowing Rock. A two-level parking deck at the American Legion Hall recently opened.
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