The Town of Southern Pines reviewed the town’s branding initiative at its Oct. 24 work session.
The Council began the branding initiative in June and contracted City Explained, Inc (CEI) to research the community’s tourism needs, organizational partners and to meet with leaders.
Community input, according to CEI representative Tripp Muldrow, supported the use of the longleaf pine symbol, a pine cone.
An option for the branding’s logo was the image of the pine cone, as held at the base and looking at its tip, with pine needles closely flanged around the pine cone in a completed circle, and the town’s name next to the image.
Member Taylor Clement said she felt there was something missing from the presented branding image.
Mayor Pro Tem Paul Murphy said he wanted to see movement.
Member Ann Petersen approved of the longleaf pine being the only choice but disagreed with the pine cone placement.
“You’ve given us a pine cone butt,” Petersen said. “It looks like a brown rose wilted…. It’s unnatural.”
The Council will wait on a decision for the branding and logo image after the comprehensive long-range plans’ input.
Planning and Community Development Specialist Rachel Mann presented an update on West Southern Pines’ development plans.
Sara Odio, with the North Carolina School of Government, said the Morganton Road Update Recommendation for Redevelopment strived to combine economic feasibility and community need.
The Council will allow time for constituents’ input before affirming the recommended updates based on the following information.
Odio said primary concerns were keeping traffic going into the West Southern Pines neighborhood at a minimum, extending South Stevens Street, the potential of home ownership and fewer rentals, and the level of potential benefit for the neighboring community.
“The cost to actually get a loan is going up…and it is expensive to build in another way,” Odio said about securing a developer with growing supply and labor costs.
The conceptual plan includes senior housing, affordable home ownership, retail office space, and recreation areas.
The conceptual plan includes a planned district to regulate design elements, such as how much property is allocated for big-box stores, buffers and sidewalk paths.
The updated conceptual plan does not include a hotel, even though hotels increase property value and generate funds, because the hotel was not community supported.
According to Odio, the rough estimate for tax collection over ten years for the approximately 15-acre tract with completed retail and more residential was $1.75 million.
With a hotel, the tax collection over ten years was an estimate of $2.2 million.
The site location is ideal for potential low-income tax credits, which will be applied for by the developer.
Mann said the goal is for a developer to begin steps for tax credits by January 2024, and the Town would see construction activity by the end of 2024.
Jessica Roth, assistant town manager, and Cindi King, parks & recreation director provided an update on capital project funding requests for Parks and Appearance Commission.
The four projects are needed for public health and safety, maintenance, and to preserve property values.
The estimated $160,000 lighting for Memorial Park field B, the adjoining playground and future skate park includes automated LED lights.
Campbell House’s grounds need landscaping, basketball court resurfacing, cleaning and restoration with a split-rail fence at an estimated $85,145.
The Pool Park needs $124,00 for concrete pavers on the pool deck, pool maintenance for public safety and health and another $10,000 for roof repairs.
Roth and King requested tree removal on W. New Hampshire Avenue at an estimated of $62,713 by the Appearance Commission.
Concerning grants, Mann said she began working on a federal grant for underrepresented communities to preserve their histories. She requested $75,000, and the grant’s winner will be announced in February 2023.
The funds, if awarded, are allocated for three areas in the neighborhood of West Southern Pines.
Mann said $30,000 is planned for a historical survey consultant, and another $30,000 is for nominating properties for the National Register of Historic Places.
The three properties are the Amos Broadway Theater, the Trinity AME Zion Church, and Our Lady of Victory School.
The remaining $15,000 would be for the study for the national register, which accompanies the nominations.
The council adopted a resolution for the Town Clerk to investigate the sufficiency of annexing 480 Pine St. and three lots on Petty Street.
“Both annexation applications represent residential lots that are seeking access to town utilities for the purpose of single-family home construction,” Town Manager Reagan Parsons said in an email to Sandhills Sentinel.
Feature photo of the rejected logo design provided by the Town of Southern Pines.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Journalist Stephanie M. Sellers. Contact her at [email protected].
