Montreat Minute for March 29, 2019
Town Hall Update
Much activity is occurring with the Town Hall, even though it isn’t visible on the construction site. Here are several significant steps taking place
- The architect, landscape architect, contractor and interior decorator are all hard at work on details of the building and property. Initial recommendations by the team are exciting, showing a building that has a wonderful “Montreat” look and feel—inside and out. You, too, will be excited!
- The Town is “shopping” for a long-term loan. We have found some extremely favorable interest rates, lower than what we planned, which will further reduce the overall cost of the building.
- The fundraising effort to “Montreatize” the building with stone floors and a stone accent wall was a resounding success—so much so that enough funds were raised to create the water garden where the required retention pond will be located. It will be a key exterior feature now, with an extremely educational flavor on how to successfully deal with stormwater.
- From a timing perspective, plans call for a July construction start. We’re hoping that financing and final construction plans will come together before then, allowing us to start sooner. We’ll keep you informed.
Wanted: Urban Forestry Intern
The Town has received another grant from the North Carolina Forest Service Urban Forestry program to complete the tree survey started last year. The survey assesses trees equal to or greater than 12” in diameter located along public rights-of-way. More on this important part-time seasonal opportunity can be found by CLICKING HERE.
Native Plant Sale Update
The Seventh Annual Montreat Native Plant Sale and Arbor Day Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 27th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. at Moore Field below Lake Susan. The Native Plant Sale, sponsored by the Landcare Committee, is an opportunity to shop for indoor and outdoor plants, learn about native plants and gardening from a variety of experts and learn about Montreat outdoors. Plus, have a lot of fun eating from J. Lee’s Chicken Shack food truck and listening to music from Rhiannon and the Relics.
Seven Western North Carolina nurseries will be offering a wide variety of native and other plants for home and garden.
Experts will be on hand to provide information, including the Extension Master Gardeners of Buncombe County, RiverLink and Montreat College. Kids will be entertained at the Montreat College sponsored “Be a Tree” hands on activity table as well as salamander activities.
Informative programs are planned throughout the day, including programs presented by the North Carolina Forest Service, RiverLink, The American Chestnut Foundation, and a special “Salamander Saturday” exhibit complete with a half hour creek walk. Arrive early to sign up for the special Salamander Night Hike at 9:00pm (limited to 15 participants).
For more information, CLICK HERE for a brochure.
Council Retreat
The Town Council will hold its annual retreat on April 11 from noon to 5:00pm to discuss planning for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Goals and objectives for next year will be discussed along with a review of capital improvement projects. The public is invited to this important meeting at the Way Out Building (not the Walkup).
That’s it for now. Enjoy your weekend!