Connecting communities with pedestrian trail is just one focus of Burke River Trail Association (BTRA). The organization also works to strengthen communities through economic development. That includes pursuing housing opportunities uncovered while advancing the trail.
Contacting large landowners to discuss the possibility of trail on their property is a first step in developing a long-distance trail corridor. During landowner outreach, BRTA Executive Director Beth Heile has been fortunate to encounter several owners who understand the benefits of allowing public trail on their land. If the goal for the parcel is housing, trail is an attractive, desired amenity a neighborhood can offer to homeowners without a huge expense. If the plan for the parcel is a business, trail can drive more customers to stop in during their walk or bike ride. For a community, trails add quality of life and better health of residents.
The recent housing study commissioned by Burke County shows the county has an overall housing gap of almost 5,000 units for rental and for-sale at all price points. With development opportunities being uncovered while exploring the trail corridor, Heile and Rep Blackwell organized a “housing opportunity tour” for Burke County Manager Brian Epley. The goal was to visit municipal managers and developers on site to learn more about the available options and the obstacles from those working directly on housing and mixed-use projects.
The group was greeted with positive news during the first stop in on Main Street in Drexel with Manager Bill Carroll and Mayor Dennis Anthony. Twelve condominiums will be available for purchase downtown over the next year priced $350,000-400,000. Standing in front of the famous Drexel Barbershop, architect David Harmon shared his vision of building several condos off Main Street behind a new downtown space he is purchasing. Harmon, a member of the Grow with Drexel volunteer organization, shared how the recent successes of a downtown mural and military servicemen banners are helping to revamp downtown. With new housing and the future industrial site on the railroad, more people will be visiting and living downtown. As if on cue, movers were carrying kitchen equipment into the soon to open Nynas Restaurant on Main Street. The Burke River Trail will connect downtown to the Catawba River creating a more walkable town.
While along the river, as the Burke River Trail leaves the Valdese Greenway and continues onto the parcel north of Draughn High School (Trail Section Ribbon Cutting August 2 at 10:00am), it will enter the future Valdese Bluffs neighborhood. The developer is eager for the trail to wind through the over 100 acre, 140 home site. After Heile sent developer Larry Bragg an inquiry letter, she and Rep Blackwell met with Bragg in person back in 2020. They introduced him to Epley in a June meeting with Valdese staff to discuss water and sewer needed at the development.
The next stop for the trail and for the housing opportunity tour was Rutherford College. Again, due to a trail request letter to the landowner, Heile brought developer Jessica Weaver to town staff in Fall 2022. The July tour was a chance for an update with Manager Jessica Bargsley, Mayor Yates Jensen and Weaver. For property located on Malcolm Boulevard, Weaver is looking at a mixed-use development of homes, offices, store fronts, a Burke River Trail section and a community park with a splash pad. Existing water and sewer on the east side of the road will need to be taken underground to reach the site. The town is gathering pricing for the line extension and working with Weaver on the type and number of homes best suited for the town.
In Connelly Springs, the team talked with Town Administrator Tamara Brooks. The town owns almost 70 acres off Tomlinson Loop that could be developed one day, if the Board of Aldermen make that decision. Meeting on site allowed meeting attendees to take in the stunning view of the parcel with mountains in the background. If the land was to be used for housing, sewer and water would need to be delivered to the site.
The final stop of the day was at Old Glory Mill in Rhodhiss with Town Manager Rick Justice. A recent grant awarded to Burke River Trail Association will provide pro forma financials, building layout, trail location and more for the site. Initial reports show room for 80 apartments in the former textile mill along with restaurants and shops. Jessica Weaver came to this meeting as well since she is building homes in Rhodhiss. The lack of municipal sewer available in the neighborhood where she is building is limiting the number of homes she can build.
Housing is complicated and expensive, even with willing parties. Without municipal services, the developer would need to look at individual septic tanks which limits the number of homes to be platted and wells where every home site may not have an adequate perk. Both drive up the cost. If the local government could provide sewer and water to a site, which could be over a million dollars, who bears that expense? In addition to running lines, there could be a need to upgrade a town’s lift station to handle the additional wastewater. Learning more about these needs through the open dialog of the day identified action items to help move most projects forward.
Rep Blackwell is looking at ways to alleviate some of the cost with state funding that is dedicated to water and sewer projects. Also, the county is doing a study on water and sewer capacity in eastern Burke County that will in the end facilitate more housing.
Though considered to be all about recreation, trails bring so much more to a community. Transportation, conservation, health, tourism, new residents, are also part of the package and as has been shown in Burke County, Burke River Trail is a path to housing.