City Manager Frank Frazier was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to provide listeners with updates regarding the City of Henderson.
Major topics of discussion included the City’s Redevelopment Master Plan, the progress of the Breckenridge outdoor pavilion in downtown Henderson and the creation of a Veterans’ Memorial in the city.
Henderson’s Redevelopment Master Plan
The City of Henderson is currently working with a firm to develop a master plan for redeveloping areas that have been in decline for several years. “We are looking at areas to redevelop in such a way as to help aid growth and help our tax base,” said Frazier. “Unfortunately, a lot of funding sources have declined through the years.”
According to Frazier, the plan would start with an area that the City feels redevelopment efforts would benefit the most. “We will begin with an area that we feel will be successful and will grow. We don’t want to bite off too much more than we can chew.”
Redevelopment efforts are expected to include the reconfiguration of existing streets, the addition of sidewalk or greenways, studying existing infrastructure and remodeling or building new homes.
“We are also looking at areas for small industrial or commercial use to appeal to businesses,” said Frazier.
The entryways into the city, including Andrews Ave., I-85 and parts of US-1, are also being reviewed. “In conjunction with the master plan, we’re looking at our corridors in order to improve the view when coming into the city,” said Frazier.
City of Henderson and Vance County leaders are all keen on heavily factoring the downtown area into the redevelopment plan. “Downtown has to be marketed as a destination where people can come and enjoy the city,” Frazier said. “We are a friendly town and we want you to have confidence that you can run a successful business here.”
Part of that marketing campaign is already underway as City officials are busy developing drafts of new signage to appeal to drivers on I-85 as well as around town. Many drafts are completed and the City is now working on receiving estimates for printing, according to Frazier.
Frazier believes the completion of the years-long I-85 construction work will bring more visitors to the area as well. “A lot of the I-85 work is winding down, thank goodness. From what I understand, it’s even a little ahead of schedule.”
While the redevelopment plan is still a work in progress with timeframes being determined, Frazier expects to have some preliminary mock-ups to share with both the City Council and the public in the next 2-3 weeks.
“We think it’s important that whatever we do, the public fully understands what we are trying to accomplish.”
Breckenridge Outdoor Pavilion/Veterans’ Memorial
The architectural firm hired by the City has completed their blueprint for the outdoor Breckenridge pavilion. The pavilion, to be located near the Henderson Police Department in downtown Henderson, will serve as the last piece of the overall Breckenridge Commons project and as the corner piece of the block.
“Right now, the City has obtained pricing from several contractors and we are waiting on a few additional bids,” explained Frazier. “My goal is to have something back to the City Council at our November meeting.”
City officials are also currently working with veterans on creating a Veterans’ Memorial to be located on the back of the Henderson Police Department.
Speaking of the area comprising the police department, Perry Memorial Library, McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center and the future site of the outdoor pavilion, Frazier said, “We feel that the memorial would tie all of these things together; a new park for our veterans.”
In order for the memorial to become a reality, Frazier said fundraising would be necessary. He believes the very nature of the memorial would make any fundraiser for the project a success.
To listen to the interview in its entirety, click here.
