Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • The Mount Airy News

    Spencer's redo takes another step

    By Tom Joyce,

    2024-06-11

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2qAfb4_0tniw93H00

    Redevelopment efforts at the former Spencer’s textile mill property in downtown Mount Airy have taken another key — half-million-dollar-plus — step that will include work to support the new Balladeer Marriott hotel there.

    The Mount Airy Board of Commissioners voted unanimously last Thursday night to award a contract for Phase III of a multi-pronged plan to replace and/or extend all public infrastructure on and around the old industrial site.

    It was bought by the city government in 2014 to transform for new uses.

    Jimmy R. Lynch and Sons of Pilot Mountain submitted the low bid for the latest project, of $536,041. The commissioners approved a total allocation of $575,000 to cover any unforeseen expenses.

    Only two companies submitted proposals for the job, the other being Simcon General Contractors of Mount Airy, which bid $558,597 — more than $20,000 above that of Jimmy R. Lynch and Sons.

    The project initially was advertised for bids on April 20, which produced only one offer, from Simcon, according to city Public Works Director Mitch Williams.

    Due to not receiving a minimum of three bids as required by law for construction or repair contracts, the one obtained was not opened and the project was re-advertised in May — with only two received which were opened last Wednesday.

    “If you receive less than three bids for the first ad, you have to re-advertise for a minimum of one week,” Williams explained Monday.

    “You can then open (them) no matter how many you receive,” the public works director added. “So we re-advertised and received the two bids from JR Lynch and Simcon.”

    Lynch was recommended for the contract due to its past satisfactory performance on municipal projects.

    The purpose of the Phase III segment is to rehabilitate existing public water, sewer and storm drain lines behind and adjacent to the Balladeer hotel to occupy the Sparger Building on Willow Street which is part of the Spencer’s complex.

    Work began there in early March by Christman Construction, the general contractor for the hotel effort, including soft demolition to precede major construction on the lodging establishment scheduled to welcome its first guests in 2026.

    Phase III also includes rough grading for future parking areas behind the hotel.

    The parking areas will be be completed with final grading, curbing, asphalt and other steps at a later date, according to Williams.

    Funding for the Phase III is coming from money previously allocated for Spencer’s-related work by both Mount Airy and Surry County, based on discussion at Thursday night’s meeting.

    In early 2021, county officials agreed to supply $1.5 million toward infrastructure needs on the site at $250,000 annually over a six-year period — roughly half of a total estimated at around $3 million.

    Phase I of the multi-faceted effort replaced infrastructure in a portion of Willow Street in and around Spencer’s Mill Apartments, while Phase II completed infrastructure work on Willow.

    Expand All
    Comments / 5
    Add a Comment
    Debbie Bowman
    06-13
    Are you kidding me! We live in a city that only thinks about what the town can profit from tourism, still riding Andy Griffith's coat tail and he's in the grave. Get over it with all this s***. We have a whole generation dying from drug use or the homeless (that they want arrested). Why not invest some of that money into recreational activities so the young has something to do other than look at a phone all day, or getting hooked in drugs. I hope hope you don't call that little skate park as all they need. Put that soccer field property to better use. Build something for the young, teenagers and such. Get creative. Or fix the streets of Mt. Airy.
    Wisa Ann
    06-11
    Why not invest in some rehab centers for the people needing help to get off of Fentanyl!! And invest in some homeless shelters for the homeless. All of these people need help! Their apart of the so called mt.airy tourists attraction! You want mt.airy to be a better place,so put money into helping people!!
    View all comments
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News
    Robert Russell Shaneyfelt26 days ago
    The Shenandoah (PA) Sentinel28 days ago
    Robert Russell Shaneyfelt19 days ago

    Comments / 0