Downtown projects likely to follow depot overhaul

Spring Hope Downtown Development Board member Pam Brantley kickstarted last week’s new business agenda in direct fashion, asking how funding for upcoming projects in town might be sourced.

“Where is the money coming from to do any of these projects that are gonna cost money?” she wondered aloud.

Town Manager Andrew DeIonno fielded the Aug. 19 inquiry, explaining how the town’s train depot venture might affect other interests.

“The town takes some of its tax receipts — sales tax receipts — and actually by law, by statute, puts them aside for economic development … the only thing is, with the pending depot project, a lot of that money for this fiscal year has been promised to that project, “ he said.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced June 20 that the the state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority would grant the town $537,500 to help bolster the depot’s platform overhaul, which calls for an expanded outdoor space, new paint and restoration of the original chimneys.

“So, anything we do in terms of large-scale capital expenditures beyond the depot would probably have to wait until (fiscal year) ‘26,” DeIonno said. “But there will be money … it’s a percentage of the sales and use tax.”

OLD BUSINESS

Local businessman and filmmaker Devin Keaton offered insight on a new brochure for the town and furthered talk around the “Walk of Fame,” conceptualized to permanently celebrate visiting actors with individual markers on the sidewalk between South Ash and Pine streets.

The project, however, needs swift approval from the Board of Commissioners.

“You’re looking pretty, pretty dang soon, and on top of that, you also have the premiere of ‘Renner’ that’s coming in October,” Keaton said with respect to the walk and other projects arriving to shoot in the area. “That’d be a great opportunity for Violett Beane and Frankie Muniz to be the first people to put their mark … on the thing. And that’s already in the bag. Done. Movie finished.”

Helmed by director Robert Rippberger, the AI-inspired “Renner” completed principal photography in town last summer.

FALL SWEEP BOOST

Keaton also reported the brokering of a deal for participants in the upcoming “Spring Hope Sweep,” a downtown cleanup project slated for Sept. 14, and the Peachtree Hills Country Club.

“I asked them if they would give anyone who participated a free round of golf, and they said yes,” he noted.

Co-sponsored by the Downtown Development Board and the Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce, the event will run from 8 a.m. to noon, with lunch served afterward.

A rain date of Sept. 21 has been established — interested parties can learn more online at spring hope.net/downtown.

In other business, Mark Corvin stepped down as vice chairman but will remain a board member. DeeAnn Taylor-Rivera was nominated and elected to take his place.

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